update you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "update you" is not correct English.
It does not have an obvious meaning or context. If you want to make it a usable phrase, you would need to provide more detail on what you are trying to say. For example, you could say, "I need to update you on our meeting next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We'll update you when we know more.

The Economist

A few kicks to update you on.

The Guardian - Sport

We'll update you as soon as we can.

Independent

"We'll update you as soon as we can," it said.

Independent

We'll update you if and when there is.

The New York Times

Will update you on the hidden village hunting!

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But we'll keep updating you as needed.

The New York Times

3 31 p.m. | Updated You can read the actual report here.

The New York Times

When a data set you are following gets updated, you are immediately notified of the change.

Forbes

Choose Change What Updates You Get.

WikiHow

Once updated, you may see the problem fixed already.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use a transitive verb form such as "inform", "notify", or "update" with a direct object when conveying the action of providing information.

Common error

Avoid using "update" or similar verbs without a direct object (e.g., "update you"). Instead, use "update you on [topic]" or "give you an update".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "update you" functions as an attempt to use the verb "update" transitively, but it lacks a direct object, making it grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as such. Correct usage requires specifying what you are updating the person on, as illustrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "update you" is commonly used, but grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, it requires a direct object to be correct. The analysis of example sentences indicates that while it frequently appears in news and media and wiki sources, it's crucial to use phrases like "update you on [topic]", "give you an update", or "keep you informed" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. Avoiding this mistake enhances professionalism and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep you informed

Replaces a grammatically incorrect phrase with a standard and commonly used expression.

give you an update

Offers a more grammatically sound way of saying that you will provide new information.

let you know the latest

Emphasizes sharing the most recent news or developments.

provide you with details

Focuses on furnishing specific information.

advise you on the matter

Indicates guidance or recommendations regarding a particular subject.

keep you posted

Suggests regular updates as events unfold.

bring you up to speed

Implies providing all the necessary background information.

apprise you of the facts

Highlights formally informing someone of important details.

notify you of any changes

Focuses on informing someone about alterations or modifications.

fill you in

Suggests sharing informal, essential information.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "update" when talking to someone?

Instead of the grammatically incorrect "update you", use phrases like "update you on [topic]", "give you an update", or "keep you informed".

What's a more formal way to say "update you"?

For a formal context, consider using phrases like "apprise you of", "notify you of", or "provide you with details".

Is it ever correct to say "update you"?

No, "update you" is grammatically incorrect. You need to include a direct object or rephrase the sentence to use a correct transitive verb structure. Consider saying "I'll "give you an update"".

What's the difference between "update you on" and "inform you about"?

"Update you on" implies providing the latest information on a continuing situation, while "inform you about" is a more general term for providing information, regardless of whether it's new or related to an ongoing topic.