Cool MateKeep me posted vs Update
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Keep me posted
Top 2,000 (common)
Update
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Most common: Update
| Keep me posted | Update | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kiːp mi ˈpəʊstɪd//🇺🇸 //kip mi ˈpoʊstɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌʌpˈdeɪt/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪts/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪtɪd/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌʌpˈdeɪt/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪts/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪtɪd/","/ˌʌpˈdeɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Let me know what's happening. | To make something new or better. |
| Example | Please keep me posted about the meeting schedule. | Please update the software to the latest version. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | keep posted on news, keep me posted regularly, keep posted about changes | constantly, continually, continuously, try to, need to, on, to, with, constantly, continually, continuously, try to, need to, on, to, with |
| Antonyms | - | degrade, downgrade |
| Common mistakes | Using 'keep posted' instead of 'keep me posted'., Overusing in formal emails., Confusing with 'keep in touch', which means maintain contact. | Confusing 'update' with 'upgrade', which means to improve or enhance something., Using 'updating' as a noun, instead of 'update'., Omitting the object when saying 'I will update' — it should be clear what is being updated. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in informal contexts when you want updates. It's polite but not overly formal. | Use 'update' when talking about changing information to reflect new details. It's appropriate in both personal and professional contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Keep me posted vs Update
What's the difference between Keep me posted and Update?
Keep me posted: Let me know what's happening. Update: To make something new or better.
Which is more common: Keep me posted and Update?
Update is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Keep me posted: Please keep me posted about the meeting schedule. Update: Please update the software to the latest version.
Can I use Keep me posted and Update interchangeably?
Not always. Keep me posted and Update are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.