Used and loved by millions

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 quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

upgrade

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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 Guardian

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

The Guardian

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.

"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.

The Project Spring splurge, a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the networks to exploit 4G opportunities, took spending to £19bn over two years.

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.

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

The Guardian

Anxious to upgrade your e-meter to something that doesn't scream early noughties dowdiness?

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

The Guardian

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.

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.

Show more...

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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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"?

Some synonyms for "upgrade" include "enhance", "improve", and "modernize", depending on the context.

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.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: