- Have you ever wondered if you should “make” an update or “give” an update?
- Do you feel unsure which preposition to use after “update”—is it “on,” “about,” or “with”?
- Are you looking for more professional ways to tell your boss about your progress?
Mastering Update Collocations is a game-changer for your English fluency. Instead of struggling to find the right words, learning these natural word pairings allows you to speak and write with the precision of a native speaker. Whether you are working in tech, business, or just chatting with friends, using the word “update” correctly reduces “Language Anxiety” and ensures your message is clear and professional.
Common Collocations with UPDATE as a Verb
1. Updating People (Providing Information)
In professional settings, we often use “update” to mean “giving someone the latest news.”
- Update someone on [something]: “Please update me on the project’s progress.”
- Keep someone updated: “I will keep you updated as soon as I hear back from the client.”
- Regularly update: “The team regularly updates the board regarding financial shifts.”
2. Updating Systems and Objects (Modernizing)
This refers to making something more current, whether it’s technology or physical items.
- Update your software: “You should update your software to the latest version for better security.”
- Update your status: “She updated her status on LinkedIn to show her new job title.”
- Update your records: “Please update your records to reflect our new office address.”
- Update your wardrobe: “He decided to update his wardrobe for the winter season.”
Essential Collocations using UPDATE as a Noun
1. Verb + Noun Collocations
These are the verbs we commonly pair with the noun “update.”
- Provide an update: “The manager will provide an update during the afternoon meeting.”
- Give an update: “Can you give us an update on the situation in London?”
- Receive an update: “We received an update from the hospital regarding his recovery.”
- Install/Download an update: “The system is ready to install an update.”
- Request an update: “I need to request an update from the legal department.”
2. Adjective + Noun Collocations
Use these adjectives to describe the frequency or importance of the update.
- A status update: “I’m sending over a quick status update on the current tasks.”
- A regular update: “We provide regular updates to our subscribers via email.”
- A brief update: “Let me give you a brief update before we start the presentation.”
- A real-time update: “The app provides real-time updates on traffic conditions.”
- A weather update: “Stay tuned for the latest weather update.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Keep someone updated | Verb Phrase | To continue giving someone news. |
| Update someone on | Verb + Preposition | To tell someone the latest news about a specific topic. |
| Provide a status update | Noun Phrase | To give a report on how a project is going. |
| Install an update | Noun Phrase | To put a new software version onto a computer. |
| Regular updates | Noun Phrase | Information shared at consistent intervals. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I will update you about the project. (Grammatically okay, but less natural) | I will update you on the project. |
| Please make an update to me. | Please give/provide an update. |
| He updated his clothes. | He updated his wardrobe. |
| Wait for the update of the system. | Wait for the system update. |
“Hi Team, I wanted to provide a status update regarding the Q3 launch. We have successfully updated our records to include the new client feedback. I will keep you updated as we move into the testing phase. If you have any questions, please request an update via the project portal. I will update you on the final timeline by Friday.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Update Collocations
Is it “update on” or “update about”?
While “about” is sometimes used, “on” is the far more common and professional preposition. For example, “Can you update me on the results?” sounds more natural to a native speaker than “update me about the results.”
Can “update” be used for people, like “I need to update myself”?
No, we don’t usually say “update myself.” Instead, we say “I need to catch up on the news” or “I need to get up to speed.” However, you can say “I need to update my profile.”
What is the difference between “an update” and “an upgrade”?
An “update” usually fixes bugs or adds small bits of information (keeping things current). An “upgrade” usually means getting a completely new or better version of something, like “upgrading your phone” to a newer model.
How do I use “update” in a formal email?
Use “provide an update” or “keep someone updated.” For example: “I am writing to provide an update on the recruitment process” or “We will keep you updated on any further developments.”
Is “update” a countable noun?
Yes, “update” is a countable noun. You can have “one update,” “two updates,” or “many updates.” For example: “I have several updates to share with the group today.”
I found myself trying to use 'update about' for a report I was writing. This article saved me from an awkward phrasing! 'Update on' sounds so much more professional. Thanks a lot!
That's wonderful to hear, Anna! We're happy the article helped you fine-tune your report. 'Update on' is indeed the go-to for professional communication about a topic or progress. Keep up the excellent work in your writing!
This article is a solid 'update' for my English knowledge! Haha. But seriously, very well explained. Could you also touch on 'bring up to date' in a future post? It seems related but also distinct.
Fantastic pun, Ravi! We appreciate the feedback and the suggestion. 'Bring up to date' is indeed a related and excellent idiom to discuss. It typically means to provide someone with the latest information or to modernize something. We'll definitely keep it in mind for a future linguistic exploration! Thanks for the idea!
The part about 'reducing Language Anxiety' really spoke to me. It's so true! When I know I'm using phrases correctly, I feel much more confident speaking, especially at work.
We're so glad that resonated with you, Chloe! Confidence in language use is a huge motivator, and understanding natural word pairings definitely builds that foundation. Keep building that confidence!
In my language, we use one word for 'update' that covers everything. It's fascinating how English differentiates between the various contexts, especially with the prepositions. This is why collocations are so crucial.
That's a brilliant observation, Min-jun! This comparison between languages truly highlights the importance of English collocations. It's not just about direct translation but understanding the specific partnerships words form. Keep noticing these fascinating linguistic differences – they are key to mastery!
I'm still a bit confused about when to use 'update' as a verb versus 'an update' as a noun. Is there a simple trick to remember?
Good question, Omar! A simple trick: if you can put 'an' or 'the' before it, and it functions as a piece of information or a new version, it's likely a noun (e.g., 'I need *an update*,' 'Here's *the update*'). If it describes an action you are doing (e.g., 'I will *update* you,' 'Please *update* the system'), it's a verb. The verb often takes a direct object (who/what are you updating?). Hope that helps clarify!
This article really helped me with my presentation. I needed to say I would 'keep the team updated,' and now I feel confident I used the correct phrase. Thank you for making these nuances clear!
That's fantastic news, Nia! We're so pleased to hear that the article directly assisted you with your presentation. 'Keep the team updated' is indeed the ideal and professional choice. We love hearing about real-world applications of our lessons!
Can 'update' be used with a person as the object of 'update,' even if it's not a direct 'update someone on something'? Like, 'I updated John.' Is that acceptable if John knows what 'it' is?
Great question, David! Yes, 'I updated John' is perfectly acceptable and commonly used in informal to semi-formal contexts, especially if the context of what John is being updated 'on' is already clear to both speakers. For instance, 'I just spoke with Sarah and updated John.' In more formal or ambiguous situations, adding 'on [topic]' is always safer to ensure clarity. You're thinking like a native speaker!
Before reading this, I would probably have said 'I need to make an update to my software.' Now I understand 'update my software' is more direct and native-like. So simple, but such a big difference!
Precisely, Sofia! That's a perfect example of how collocations make your English sound more natural and fluent. 'Update my software' is indeed the most common and idiomatic way to express that action. Great observation!
I teach English as a second language, and collocations are always a challenge for my students. I'm definitely going to use the examples from this article in my next lesson. The distinction between 'updating people' and 'updating systems' is very clear.
That's wonderful to hear, Wei! We're delighted our content can serve as a useful resource for your teaching. Clearly categorizing the uses of 'update' often helps students grasp the different contexts more easily. Best of luck with your lesson!
What about 'update with'? Is that ever correct? Like, 'Can you update me with the new details?' I sometimes hear people say that, and it confuses me.
That's an excellent question, Elena, and a common point of confusion! While 'update me with the new details' isn't standard English, you might hear it informally due to the influence of phrases like 'provide me with the details.' The correct and natural way to express that would be 'Can you update me on the new details?' or 'Can you provide me with the new details?' Focus on 'update on' for information or progress. Thanks for asking!