filled me in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled me in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has provided information or updates about a situation or topic. Example: "After being away for a week, my colleague filled me in on all the important developments in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Over dinner, Bradford filled me in on his early life.

The New Yorker

Walid and his cousin filled me in on the romance.

The New Yorker

One of them filled me in on the history.

The New York Times - Travel

As she drove, Hass filled me in on the details of her career.

The New Yorker

Eventually, I turned to a colleague who filled me in on my manager's history.

The Guardian

I went through the entire story, and he filled me in on the rest.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I don't really know all these details - fill me in, please.

Huffington Post

She fills me in on her background.

The Guardian

The intel guy fills me in.

The New York Times

Just do your job, and fill me in.

The Guardian - Music

Can you fill me in? A. Those aren't words.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled me in" when you want to convey that someone has provided you with comprehensive details or updates about a particular situation or topic. For example, "After the meeting, Sarah filled me in on all the decisions that were made."

Common error

Avoid using the incorrect tense of "fill". For example, don't say "He will filled me in later", but rather "He will fill me in later" or "He will have filled me in by then."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "filled me in" functions as a means of conveying information. According to Ludwig, it is used when someone provides details or updates. It acts as the main verb within a sentence, describing the action of providing comprehensive information to the speaker.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filled me in" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of providing someone with comprehensive information or updates. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources, confirms its widespread use in news, media, and academic contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, alternatives like "updated me" or "informed me" may be more suitable for formal settings. Understanding the nuances of its usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought me up to speed

Implies a quick update to reach the current state of knowledge.

updated me

A general term for providing the latest information.

informed me

A more formal way of saying someone provided information.

gave me the details

Focuses on providing specific information or particulars.

let me know

Indicates a sharing of information, often about future events or plans.

clued me in

Suggests revealing secret or previously unknown information.

explained it to me

Highlights the act of clarifying or making something understandable.

briefed me

Implies a concise and structured presentation of information.

schooled me

Informal, suggesting a lesson or imparting knowledge, often in a specific area.

ran it by me

Suggests a review or confirmation of information.

FAQs

How can I use "filled me in" in a sentence?

You can use "filled me in" to indicate that someone has provided you with comprehensive details or updates. For instance, "My manager "filled me in" on the project's progress during my absence".

What's a more formal alternative to "filled me in"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "updated me", "informed me", or "briefed me" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fill me in" or should it always be "filled me in"?

"Fill me in" is correct when requesting information, as in, "Can you "fill me in" on what happened?". "Filled me in" is used to describe a past event where information was provided: "She "filled me in" on the details".

What's the difference between ""filled me in"" and "brought me up to speed"?

While both phrases mean to provide information, ""filled me in"" implies a more detailed account, whereas "brought me up to speed" suggests a quicker, more concise update to get someone current with the situation.