update him

USAGE SUMMARY

"update him" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to give someone new information that they should be aware of. For example, "I received new information about the project, so please update him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Make contact, update him on your achievements, motivation and aspirations.

The Guardian - Money

Periodically, a colleague at Edgewood wrote to update him on life at the arsenal.

The New Yorker

He updates the room on his issues and listens as they update him on theirs.

The New York Times

I think you need to update him and make him more of a feminist.

The New York Times - Magazine

In February, Gorkov met with Putin to update him on the bank's status.

The Washington Post

She tries in those fleeting moments to update him on their children, "who really miss their father a lot".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

I updated him on the plan, and he nodded.

The New York Times - Health

In February I sent Mr. J a note updating him on the family's cello exploits.

The New York Times

He chats amiably with a longtime acquaintance, who updates him on her misbehaving son.

The New York Times - Magazine

Breathlessly updating him on the plans to ban Carnival, I pushed for his response.

The Guardian - Music

"Seth Godin has an audience," he said rather negatively when I updated him about Twitter.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "update him", be specific about the information you're conveying. Avoid vague requests like "just update him" without specifying the topic or context.

Common error

Avoid using "update him" when the context already implies the action of providing new information. For example, instead of saying "Please update him on the latest progress report again", simply state "Please brief him on the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "update him" functions primarily as a directive verb phrase, instructing someone to provide another person (specifically a male) with the latest information. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples include instructions to keep someone informed about project progress or recent developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "update him" is a grammatically correct and frequently used directive verb phrase that instructs someone to provide new information to a male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, reflecting its widespread applicability. While variations such as "inform him" or "brief him" may suit different levels of formality, the directness and clarity of "update him" make it a valuable phrase for ensuring effective communication and maintaining awareness across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inform him

Replaces "update" with a more general term for providing information.

fill him in

An informal way to say "update him", often used in casual conversation.

brief him

Focuses on providing a concise summary of essential information.

keep him posted

Implies providing regular updates as new information becomes available.

apprise him

A more formal term for informing him, suitable for professional contexts.

maintain him

Emphasizes keeping him informed on a regular basis, highlighting continuity.

modernize him

Suggests bringing his knowledge or understanding up to date, focusing on relevance to current standards.

upgrade him

Conveys improving his knowledge or skills, similar to updating software or hardware.

adapt him

Implies adjusting his understanding to fit new circumstances or information.

advise him

Suggests offering counsel or guidance based on new information.

FAQs

How can I use "update him" in a sentence?

You can use "update him" to instruct someone to provide new information to a male individual. For example: "Please "update him" on the project's progress" or "Make sure to "update him" before the meeting".

What is a more formal way to say "update him"?

A more formal alternative to "update him" is to use "inform him" or "apprise him". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

What does it mean to "update" someone?

To "update" someone means to provide them with the latest information or news about a particular topic or situation, ensuring they are current with the most recent developments.

Is there a difference between ""update him"" and "brief him"?

"Update him" implies providing comprehensive new information, while "brief him" suggests providing a concise summary. The choice depends on the level of detail required.