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Prepositions after verbs

update on, with, or to?

Update combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean information, added content, or a new version.

Quick answer

How is update used with prepositions?

Use update someone on a topic for information, update something with details for added content, and update something to a newer version for change or improvement.

Please update me on the project status.
She updated the file with new figures.
We updated the software to the latest version.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
update someone on + topic

Giving new information

Use on when informing someone about progress or news.

Can you update us on the negotiations?
He updated the team on the delay.
2
update something with + information

Adding new details

Use with for the content being added.

They updated the database with customer feedback.
I updated the report with current statistics.
3
update something to + version

Changing to a newer form

Use to for upgrades, revisions, or new standards.

She updated the app to version 5.0.
We updated the system to a faster platform.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
update on
Please update me on the schedule.
Giving someone information about a topic.
update with
They updated the article with new data.
Adding information or material.
update to
We updated the software to the newest release.
Changing something into a newer version.
update about
She updated me about the issue.
Possible in informal English, but update someone on is more common and more standard.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using with for information recipients

Use on when telling someone news or progress.

✕ update me with the project ✓ update me on the project

Using on for added content

Use with for information inserted into something.

✕ update the report on new figures ✓ update the report with new figures

Forgetting to after version changes

Use to before the new version or state.

✕ update the app the latest version ✓ update the app to the latest version

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Please update me ___ the meeting results.
2. They updated the website ___ fresh photos.
3. We updated the program ___ version 3.2.

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Frequently asked questions

Can update on be used without an object?

Usually update on is followed by a topic, such as update me on the plan.

What is the difference between update with and update to?

Update with adds information, while update to changes something into a newer version.

Is update about wrong?

Not always, but update someone on is generally more natural in standard English.

uncover, by, uncover, in "underline by" or "underline in"? undermine by, in, at, from or due? underpin by, for, with, of or other? underscore by, in, with, between or during? understand by, in, about, as or from? "undertake by" or "undertake in"? undo by, in, against, during or From? "unearth from" or "unearth by"? unfold in, before, on, at or for? "unite in" or "unite with"? "unleash on" or "unleash by"?

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