to upgrade them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to upgrade them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to improving or enhancing the capabilities or features of something, typically technology or software. Example: "We need to upgrade them to the latest version to ensure optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

She has to try to upgrade them.

The New York Times - Style

World Bank research suggests that legal tangles over land tenure hobble efforts to upgrade them.

The Economist

UMC will close some fabs, but only to upgrade them to higher technologies.

The Economist

Trying to upgrade them in one afternoon seems a bit hopeless, and quite possibly foolish.

The New York Times - Arts

India is selling 74percentt stake in the two airports to upgrade them to global standards.

The New York Times

The CPA says there is a programme in place to upgrade them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

With the government unable to fulfill its post-apartheid promise of building enough housing to phase out informal settlements, urban initiatives like the [IN]FORMAL STUDIO project have now turned their attention from eradicating these settlements to upgrading them.

Huffington Post

Metrolink is analyzing the cost of keeping either older or younger Sentinel cars to upgrade, as older Sentinel cars will require major rehabilitation of its systems, as they are close to the end of their life, in addition to upgrading them to some of the Guardian Fleet safety features.

Wikipedia

Because furfurals show higher chemical functionality and reactivity, it is easier to catalytically upgrade them to a variety of value-added products.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

This means that by designing government services in blocks that do one job each, it's easier to fix them, upgrade them, share them and scale them up.

The Guardian

Employers which have existing schemes will be forced to review and upgrade them if they do not meet the new standards, they say.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific type of improvement you want to convey. Alternatives like "modernize", "refurbish", or "renovate" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "upgrade" repeatedly in technical writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms such as "enhance", "improve", or "optimize" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to upgrade them" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It often appears after verbs indicating a need or plan to improve something. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly used to describe enhancing features or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to upgrade them" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the intention of improving or enhancing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, this phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communications. When using "to upgrade them", ensure clarity by specifying what "them" refers to and consider synonyms like "enhance", "modernize", or "refurbish" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enhance them

Focuses on improving quality or desirability.

to improve them

General term for making something better.

to modernize them

Specifically refers to bringing something up to current standards.

to refurbish them

Implies restoring something to a better condition.

to renovate them

Suggests making significant structural or aesthetic improvements.

to enhance their features

Highlights the improvement of specific characteristics.

to update them

Implies bringing something current, often software or information.

to overhaul them

Indicates a comprehensive and thorough renovation or upgrade.

to advance them

Focuses on moving something forward to a more developed state.

to refine them

Suggests making subtle but important improvements for better quality.

FAQs

What does "to upgrade them" mean?

The phrase "to upgrade them" generally means to improve or enhance something, often referring to technology, software, or systems. It implies making something more modern, efficient, or feature-rich.

How can I use "to upgrade them" in a sentence?

You can use "to upgrade them" in sentences like, "The company plans "to upgrade them" to the latest software version for better performance" or "We need "to upgrade them" to meet the new industry standards".

What are some alternatives to "to upgrade them"?

Alternatives to "to upgrade them" include "to enhance them", "to improve them", "to modernize them", or "to refurbish them", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to upgrade them" formal or informal language?

"To upgrade them" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more precise language might be preferred.