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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
updated by someone
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "updated by someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular piece of information or document has been revised or modified by a specific individual or group. Example: "The report was updated by someone to reflect the latest data and findings."
✓ Grammatically correct
Wiki
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Many Orthodox synagogues have signs that are manually updated by someone with the current page numbers, or there will be someone designated to call them out at the beginning of each new section.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Revised and updated by Martha White.
News & Media
History books shld be updated by morning.
News & Media
AOL Journals can be updated by using AOL Instant Messenger.
News & Media
It's updated by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
News & Media
It was updated by staff writer Claudia Luther.
News & Media
Updated by Jeremy Howick March 2009.
Science
Update by where 's are updated by (11) respectively.
Science
Here, the cooks are bundled out into a trailer (the trailer is called "Hell on Wheels") in the dead of night and taught how to make the updated dishes by… someone who works for Gordon Ramsay.
News & Media
It will do update by default.
Wiki
Updated minute-by-minute.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase "updated by someone", ensure that the context clearly indicates who performed the update and why. Providing this information enhances transparency and credibility.
Common error
Avoid vague statements like "the document was updated by someone" without specifying who made the changes or their qualifications. This can undermine the authority and reliability of the updated information.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "updated by someone" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (updating) was performed on a subject by an unspecified agent. This contrasts with active voice, where the agent performing the action is clearly identified. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Wiki
25%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Reference
8%
Encyclopedias
7%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "updated by someone" is a grammatically sound phrase used in passive constructions to indicate that an update has occurred without specifying the agent. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is relatively low, it appears across various contexts, including news, media, scientific articles and wikis. When using this phrase, consider whether specifying the actor would improve clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "revised by a person" or "modified by an individual" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
revised by a person
Replaces "updated" with "revised", focusing on the action of improving or correcting.
modified by an individual
Substitutes "updated" with "modified", highlighting alterations made by a single entity.
amended by a party
Uses "amended" to convey formal changes made by a specific group or individual.
corrected by a staff member
Emphasizes the action of correcting errors, performed by an employee.
edited by a contributor
Focuses on editing, usually implying improvement in clarity or style, done by someone who contributes.
improved by a user
Highlights the act of enhancement or betterment carried out by a user.
adapted by an author
Specifies that the modification involves adapting something, and that it was done by the author.
transformed by a developer
Indicates a significant change or conversion performed by a developer.
enhanced by a specialist
Implies that an expert made specific improvements.
overhauled by a team
Suggests a comprehensive revision or renovation done by a group.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "updated by someone" to sound more formal?
For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "revised by an individual", "amended by a designated party", or "modified by an authorized user". These options often convey a higher degree of professionalism and authority.
What's the difference between "updated by someone" and "updated by a specific person"?
While both phrases indicate that an update has occurred, "updated by someone" is more generic. "Updated by a specific person" emphasizes that the update was carried out by a known or identifiable individual, making the source more transparent.
Is it better to use "updated by someone" or "updated by a person"?
Both phrases are grammatically correct. However, "updated by a person" might be slightly more common in general usage, while "updated by someone" emphasizes the action being performed rather than the individual.
How to use "updated by someone" in a sentence?
You can use "updated by someone" to indicate that a particular piece of information or document has been revised or modified by a specific individual or group. For example, "The report was updated by someone to reflect the latest data and findings."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested