update sb on sth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "update someone on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone something new about a particular subject that they may not have been aware of before. Example: I'll update you on the progress of the project when I have more details.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our objectives were to describe the prevalence and intensity of STH infection and to investigate the effectiveness of repeated four-monthly albendazole treatments on STH infection in children aged one to four years.

BMC Infectious Diseases

This was updated again on 11 August.

Wikipedia

Update by where each is updated based on (7) respectively.

BMC Genomics

Click on version 1.5.2, The Updated one.

WikiHow

2 25 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional background on SB 1070.

Los Angeles Times

This article was updated on 26 August 2014.

Independent

The article was updated on March 3rd.

The Economist

The rankings are updated on Monday.

BBC

It is updated on a daily basis.

BBC

Stay updated on social networks.

WikiHow

Stay constantly updated on the loan market.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember to tailor the level of detail to the recipient's needs. A quick "update" might suffice for someone already familiar with the topic, while a more comprehensive explanation may be necessary for someone less informed.

Common error

Avoid using "update sb on sth" without providing substantive information. A common mistake is to say you'll "update" someone without actually delivering any new information or insights, leaving the recipient uninformed and potentially frustrated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "update sb on sth" functions primarily as a communicative verb phrase, indicating the act of providing the most recent information to someone about a specific topic. This is confirmed by Ludwig's response, highlighting its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "update sb on sth" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating the act of providing someone with the latest information on a topic. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, though real-world examples are limited as demonstrated by the search data. While it is important to ensure the subject ('sb') and the topic ('sth') are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity, this versatile phrase serves to keep individuals informed and aligned with the most current state of affairs. Consider that alternatives like "inform someone about" or "bring someone up to date" might fit better depending on the degree of formality and context required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give someone an update about something

Focuses on providing a general update.

bring someone up to date on something

Highlights ensuring someone has the most current information.

inform someone about the latest developments in something

Emphasizes conveying the most recent changes.

keep someone informed on something

Focuses on continuous updates.

provide someone with the current status of something

Highlights reporting the existing state.

let someone know the news regarding something

Stresses sharing news or updates.

fill someone in on something

Implies providing missing information.

apprise someone of the situation concerning something

Implies providing formal notification.

advise someone on the progress of something

Suggests guiding on the evolution of progress.

brief someone on something

Highlights giving a short informative description.

FAQs

How can I use "update sb on sth" in a sentence?

You can use "update sb on sth" to indicate that you will provide new information to someone about a particular topic. For instance, "I'll update you on the project's progress" means you will inform them about the latest developments of the project.

What does "update sb on sth" mean?

The phrase "update sb on sth" means to provide someone with the latest information or news about a specific topic or situation. It implies that there have been changes or developments since the last time the person was informed.

Are there more formal alternatives to "update sb on sth"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "apprise someone of" or "inform someone about the latest developments in something" for a more professional tone.

How is "update sb on sth" different from "inform sb about sth"?

While both phrases involve sharing information, "update sb on sth" implies providing the latest news or changes, whereas "inform sb about sth" is a more general term for providing information regardless of its novelty or timeliness.