updating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "updating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of making something more current or modern. For example: "We'll need to keep updating our website in order to stay competitive in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other features include automatically emailing you when your builds finish, and updating the widget on GitHub pull requests with the build status.

The Guardian

QAA has consulted academics on, and included in the UK Quality Code, the basic features that should be incorporated into courses in terms of design, recruitment, learning and teaching, student participation and engagement, assessment and external examining, course updating, appeals and complaints, collaboration and research degrees.

The Guardian

With regular updating it would provide an evolving social contract between all the users of the information highway: people, governments, businesses, hospitals, scientists, aid organisations.

The Guardian

Corriere dello Sport described him on Monday as a "Comic book hero" – a character who somehow carries on from one generation to the next, updating his act to keep up with the times.

The Guardian - Sport

First, Jack Dorsey floated the notion of updating friends on one's whereabouts, while Noah Glass championed it and gave the application its name, then Biz Stone was asked to help with building the program by a still-reluctant Evan Williams.

The Guardian - Opinion

One reason is the naivete/ignorance of legislators who swallowed the spooks' line that metadata-hoovering was just an updating of older powers to access logs of (analogue) telephone calls.

The Guardian - Tech

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.23pm AESTriple Triple J are making a Spotify playlist of the Hottest 100 and updating it live – get some of that action here.

The Guardian

Our principles How we use your information Using information about children Updating your personal information Who we share information with Use of cookies About our advertising Legal information and how to contact us Changes to the privacy policy 1 We do our very best to protect your privacy by using security technology appropriately.

The Guardian

After all, their constituents weren't writing about it and they were happy to accept the home secretary's assurances that he was simply updating phone-tapping regulations for the digital age.

The Guardian - Tech

The first quarter trading updating showed that pre-tax profit at the investment banking division – the traditional powerhouse of the bank – fell by 49% to £668m largely because of a downturn in the part of the business that trades commodities, bonds and currencies.

The Guardian - Business

But the real threat to parents – particularly women – is surely the pressure we put on ourselves to do and have it all; to be the perfect mother, employee, partner and friend, while virtually updating the world on our respective successes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "updating" software or systems, specify what improvements or changes are being implemented to provide clarity for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "updating" without specifying what is being updated. Instead of saying "We are updating the system", be specific: "We are updating the system with the latest security patches."

Linguistic Context

The term "updating" primarily functions as a present participle or a gerund. As a present participle, it modifies nouns, describing an ongoing action (e.g., "regularly updating her parents"). As a gerund, it acts as a noun itself (e.g., "The constant updating of stories on the Internet"). Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "updating" is a versatile term used to describe the process of making something current or improved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to formal business and scientific writing. While the term itself is neutral in formality, specifying the context and nature of the update ensures clarity. Consider alternatives like "modernizing" or "upgrading" for nuanced meanings. By avoiding overuse and providing specific details, you can effectively communicate the changes being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making updates

Rephrases the action using a more explicit noun form.

bringing up to date

Emphasizes the process of making something current.

upgrading

Specifically refers to improving in terms of quality or performance.

modernizing

Focuses on making something contemporary.

revamping

Suggests a more thorough and comprehensive update.

improving

Highlights the aspect of making something better, which is often a result of updating.

revising

Suggests a careful review and modification.

refreshing

Implies a renewal or revitalization.

adjusting

Implies making small changes to improve accuracy or effectiveness.

amending

Focuses on correcting or improving through minor changes.

FAQs

How can I use "updating" in a sentence?

You can use "updating" to describe the process of making something current or modern. For example, "The company is constantly "updating" its software to meet customer needs."

What are some alternatives to using "updating"?

You can use alternatives like "modernizing", "upgrading", or "revising" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "updating" or "to update"?

Both are correct, but they have different grammatical functions. "Updating" is a gerund or present participle, while "to update" is an infinitive. Use "updating" when it functions as a noun (e.g., "Updating is necessary") and "to update" when it functions as a verb (e.g., "We need to update the system").

What's the difference between ""updating"" and "upgrading"?

"Updating" generally refers to making something more current, while "upgrading" specifically implies improving its quality, features, or performance.