upgrades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upgrades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to improvements or enhancements made to a system, software, or product. Example: "The latest software upgrades have significantly improved the system's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also calls for 50% of the state's electricity supply to be derived from renewable resources by that date, and 50% better energy efficiency in buildings through retrofits and upgrades.

The Guardian

In 18 months, a new franchise competition begins to run the services, potentially a moment at which upgrades will be ordered.

The Guardian

Upgrades such as installing a warning light system mean more expense, management and do not eliminate risk.

The Guardian

According to analysis by IHS Jane's, Arab states may seek to reduce their reliance on individual defence contractors in case an internal crackdown leads to an arms embargo that would deny access to maintenance, upgrades and spare parts for military equipment.

The Guardian - Business

If I want to grab all the scrap and ammo I can – and I do, because that's part of why I play shooty-looty games; for the joy of looting every last corner and kitting out my party with incremental upgrades – I need all the skills.

The Guardian - Tech

The EPA will impose on the company a pollution reduction program which could include upgrades to the mine's water treatment facilities and management of the mine water discharge, including tighter limits for nickel and zinc, for example.

The Guardian

Who knows, England might even have been able to compete at this World Cup with the guts of Dubai 2012 nourished and preserved, and with Root, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali upgrades on Ravi Bopara, Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite a number of upgrades for almost every team on the grid at the Spanish Grand Prix, it was the Mercedes who dominated again as Nico Rosberg won from pole and the championship leader Lewis Hamilton took second.

The Guardian - Sport

Twomey said the federal government would be "breathing a sigh of relief" that the ruling did not have any specific impact on other federal government grants programs – including funding to councils for road upgrades and money to community organisations for local projects.

The Guardian

Mr Berlusconi also promised to use his tenure of the EU's rotating presidency to complete negotiations on a constitution for an expanded EU, improve trans-Atlantic relations, invest in EU-wide upgrades of transport networks and combat illegal immigration.

The Guardian

ExxonMobil's upgrades to its Baton Rouge refinery in Louisiana are benefitting from $119m of state subsidy, with the support starting in 2011, when the company made a $41bn profit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing improvements to systems or software, use "upgrades" to specifically denote enhancements that bring something to a more current or efficient state.

Common error

Avoid using "upgrades" without clarifying what is being upgraded or the benefits of the upgrade. Be specific to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upgrades" is a noun, referring to improvements or enhancements made to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a commonly used term in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "upgrades" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun to denote improvements or enhancements. Ludwig AI validates its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, business, and technology. Alternatives like "enhancements" and "improvements" can be used depending on the context. While widely accepted, it's crucial to provide specifics about what is being upgraded and the benefits thereof. It is a versatile term appropriate for neutral to professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhancements

Focuses on the act of improving something, often subtly.

improvements

Highlights the positive change or betterment of something.

modernizations

Emphasizes making something current or up-to-date.

updates

Indicates the action of bringing something up to date.

renovations

Refers to restoring or repairing a building or structure.

retrofits

Specifically refers to adding components or features to something after its original manufacture.

refurbishments

Implies restoring something to a good condition.

advancements

Highlights progress or forward movement.

developments

Focuses on the process of growth or evolution.

betterments

Emphasizes the act of making something better.

FAQs

How can I use "upgrades" in a sentence?

You can use "upgrades" to describe improvements or enhancements made to a system, product, or software. For example, "The company invested in significant infrastructure upgrades."

What are some alternatives to using "upgrades"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "enhancements", "improvements", or "modernizations".

Is it correct to say 'upgrade' instead of "upgrades" in all contexts?

No, "upgrade" is singular, while "upgrades" is plural. Use "upgrade" when referring to a single instance and "upgrades" when referring to multiple or a general concept of improving something.

What is the difference between "upgrades" and "updates"?

"Upgrades" generally refer to significant improvements or new versions, whereas "updates" are often smaller, incremental changes to fix bugs or improve performance.