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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
upgrade
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'upgrade' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, meaning to make something better or more modern by replacing it with a newer version, or as a noun, meaning something new that is better than the existing version. Example sentence: I decided to upgrade my phone so that I could access the latest features and apps.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
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
60 human-written examples
Although Iran had developed its own version of the missile system – unveiled for the first time last year – delivery of the S-300s will markedly upgrade its anti-aircraft missile defences at a time of increased tension in the region.
News & Media
The OBR says the unexpected rise in net migration to 298,000 in the last year – three times higher than the Conservatives' 100,000 target – has been a factor in its decision to upgrade its forecasts for Britain's economic growth.
News & Media
But at the same time, those recent warnings from the internet pioneer Vint Cerf about storage technologies becoming obsolete and the advent of a "digital dark age" highlight a profound fear: precious things are now only a corrupted hard drive or system upgrade away from being lost, for good.
News & Media
"We think it's exciting because it affords our partners even in cable and satellite to get those consumers in their ecosystem, and it's likely they will upgrade into cable platform," he said.
News & Media
The Project Spring splurge, a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the networks to exploit 4G opportunities, took spending to £19bn over two years.
News & Media
Measures outlined today – raising the basic personal allowance, the reduction of the 50p tax rate to 45p, the acceleration of the corporation tax downward trend, tackling tax avoidance and the infrastructure upgrade programme – are a step in the right direction to delivering jobs and growth by boosting confidence in UK plc.
News & Media
Karavkin has been driving his 'Fantasy' for more than 40 years and is preparing the car for an upgrade Though some foreign collectors are ready to pay up to €10,000 for the unusual car, Karavkin says he is not ready to sell "a part of his life".
News & Media
Anxious to upgrade your e-meter to something that doesn't scream early noughties dowdiness?
News & Media
As the four households get to grips with their smart meters, you'll also find out more about how smart meters work in the home, so you'll know exactly what to expect when your energy supplier contacts you to upgrade your existing meters.
News & Media
With billions of users yet to upgrade, that leaves lots of room for very profitable growth for the handset makers, carriers, advertisers – and anyone who gets paid when their patented technology is used in a handset.
News & Media
Orbán's long-term policy of nationalising energy, however, depends on a rather unsavoury partner: Budapest recently signed a loan agreement with Russia to upgrade a nuclear power plant.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
For infrastructural improvements, clarify what specific aspects are being "upgraded". For example: "The city will "upgrade" the roads and public transportation."
Common error
Avoid using "upgrade" interchangeably with words like "update" or "improve" when referring to specific changes. An "upgrade" often implies a more substantial replacement or enhancement, whereas an "update" may be a minor modification.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "upgrade" is versatile, serving as both a transitive verb, indicating the action of improving something, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples like upgrading defenses, and as a noun, representing the improved component itself.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
15%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "upgrade" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, signifying the act or result of improving something. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from technology and infrastructure to personal improvements. While the word has multiple synonyms such as "enhance", "improve" and "modernize", it's important to consider nuances when choosing the best word. Primarily, "upgrade" is most commonly found in News & Media, Business and Science contexts, displaying a neutral register and is very common.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
enhance
Indicates an improvement in quality, value, or extent, often by adding something.
improve
Implies making something better than it was.
advance
Suggests moving something forward to a better position or condition.
modernize
Focuses on making something more current or up-to-date.
renovate
Refers to restoring something to a good state of repair or improving its appearance.
refurbish
Similar to renovate, but often implies a more superficial improvement.
revamp
Indicates a complete makeover or redesign.
boost
Implies an increase or improvement, often in performance or effectiveness.
ameliorate
Indicates making something bad or unsatisfactory better.
refine
Focuses on making small improvements to achieve greater precision or clarity.
FAQs
How do you use "upgrade" in a sentence?
You can use "upgrade" as a verb, like in "I want to "upgrade my phone"", or as a noun, as in "This new version is a significant "upgrade"".
What's the difference between "upgrade" and "update"?
"Upgrade" typically means replacing something with a newer and better version, while "update" usually refers to improving something by adding new features or fixing issues without replacing it.
What are some synonyms for "upgrade"?
Is it better to "upgrade" or "update" my software?
The choice depends on your needs. An "update" might be sufficient for minor improvements and bug fixes, while an "upgrade" is necessary to get significant new features and performance improvements.
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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
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested