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Prepositions with nouns

For update or of update?

Update usually takes about or on when naming a topic. For update appears in fixed business phrases such as request for update. Of update is uncommon and usually part of a longer noun phrase.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with update?

Update is commonly followed by about or on to introduce the subject: an update on the project. For update appears in phrases such as request for update or due for update. Of update is not a normal standalone combination.

We received an update on the schedule this morning.
She asked for an update before the meeting.
The software is due for update next month.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
update on + topic

Naming the subject of new information

Use on to say what the update concerns.

The manager shared an update on the merger.
2
update about + topic

Giving information about something

About is also common, especially in less formal contexts.

Do you have an update about the delivery?
3
request for + update

Asking to receive new information

For can follow another noun such as request, call, or need.

We sent a request for an update yesterday.
4
due for + update

Showing that something needs revision

For is used after due when something should be updated.

The database is due for an update.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
update on
They gave us an update on the repairs.
Standard way to name the topic of the update.
update about
I need an update about the case.
Also natural, especially in conversation.
for update
The file is due for update.
Possible in fixed expressions with another word such as due or request; not usually used directly after update.
of update
The history of updates is stored online.
Of update alone is not idiomatic; English usually uses updates in a larger phrase.

Common mistakes

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

Using of directly after update

Update does not normally take of to introduce its topic.

✕ an update of the plan ✓ an update on the plan

Using for as the main complement of update

For usually belongs to another noun or adjective in the sentence.

✕ I received an update for the project. ✓ I received an update on the project.

Omitting an article in common phrases

Update is often countable in business English.

✕ Please send update. ✓ Please send an update.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We received an ___ the new policy.
2. The system is due ___ an update.
3. She asked for an ___ before noon.

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Frequently asked questions

Is update on more common than update about?

Both are natural. Update on is especially common in business and news contexts.

Can I say for update in emails?

Only in certain phrases such as request for update or due for update. Do not use it directly after update to name the topic.

Is of update correct English?

Usually no. English normally uses update on, update about, or a different noun phrase such as history of updates.

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? for, during, in, of or with period? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for examination" or "of examination"? "for generation" or "of generation"?

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