Understanding 'Keep Someone Posted': Meaning, Usage, and Examples for English Learners
Learning English involves more than just vocabulary and grammar; it's also about understanding common English idioms and expressions. One such useful phrase you'll often hear is "keep someone posted." If you want to sound more natural and effectively update someone in English, mastering this idiom is key. This guide will break down what "keep someone posted" means, when and how to use it, and provide plenty of examples to help you communicate clearly. Get ready to explore its definition, common uses, typical mistakes, and even practice using it yourself!
Table of Contents
- What Does 'Keep Someone Posted' Mean?
- When Should You Use 'Keep Someone Posted'?
- How Do We Use 'Keep Someone Posted'?
- Synonyms and Related Expressions
- Example English Conversations
- Practice Time!
- Conclusion: Mastering Communication with English Expressions
What Does 'Keep Someone Posted' Mean?
The idiom "keep someone posted" means to regularly give someone the latest information or news about a situation that is developing or changing. It implies that the person wants to stay informed about the progress or any new developments related to a particular matter. Think of it as promising to provide continuous updates.
More: Mastering 'Keep One's Chin Up': An English Idiom for Positivity
When Should You Use 'Keep Someone Posted'?
This expression is quite versatile and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. It's common in everyday conversations with friends and family, as well as in professional settings, like emails or meetings, when ongoing information sharing is expected. For instance, you might ask a colleague to "keep you posted on the project's progress."
However, you would typically avoid using it in very formal academic writing or highly official documents where a more formal alternative like "inform" or "apprise" might be preferred. It’s perfect for situations where you expect a series of updates rather than a single piece of information.
Common Mistakes:
Here are some common errors English learners make with this idiom and how to correct them:
| Common Mistake | Why it's wrong / Explanation | Correct Usage / How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using "Keep me post" instead of "Keep me posted." | "Posted" is a past participle functioning as an adjective here, describing the state of being informed. | Always use the past participle form: "Please keep me posted." |
| Thinking it means to physically mail something. | While "post" can mean to send mail, in this idiom, it refers to providing information, like posting updates on a notice board. | Focus on the idiomatic meaning: to update or inform regularly. |
| Using it for a single, one-time piece of news. | "Keep someone posted" implies ongoing updates about a developing situation. It suggests a continuation of information flow. | Use for situations requiring regular updates. For one-time news, consider "let me know" or "inform me." For example, instead of "Keep me posted when you arrive" (if it's a single event), you might say "Let me know when you arrive." |
| Saying "Keep posting me." | The word order is incorrect for this idiom. | The correct structure is "Keep [object/person] posted." Example: "Keep us posted." |
More: Understanding 'Keep Someone Posted': Meaning, Usage & Examples
How Do We Use 'Keep Someone Posted'?
Grammatically, "keep someone posted" functions as a verb phrase. "Keep" is the main verb, "someone" (or a pronoun like 'me', 'you', 'him', 'her', 'us', 'them') is the direct object, and "posted" acts as an object complement (an adjective describing the object).
Here are a couple of examples:
- "My manager asked me to keep her posted on the client negotiations."
- "Don't worry, I'll keep you posted about any changes to the schedule."
Understanding how to structure sentences with "Keep Someone Posted" is crucial for its correct application.
The most common sentence patterns or structures:
| Pattern/Structure | Example Sentence using "Keep Someone Posted" | Brief Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Subject + keep + Object + posted | "Sarah will keep us posted on the travel plans." | Basic active voice structure. |
| Please + keep + Object + posted | "Please keep me posted about any changes." | Imperative form, used to make a request. |
| Subject + auxiliary verb + keep + Object + posted | "I will keep you posted as soon as I hear anything." | Used with modal or auxiliary verbs (e.g., will, can, should, might). |
| To be kept posted (passive voice) | "He wants to be kept posted on the project's status." | Passive voice, where the focus is on the person receiving the updates. |
More: Understanding Keep A Low Profile Meaning & Usage: Mastering English Idioms
Synonyms and Related Expressions
While "keep someone posted" is very useful, there are other English expressions and words you can use to convey a similar meaning. Knowing these can help you vary your language and understand different nuances. Here’s a look at some alternatives:
| Synonym/Related Expression | Nuance/Tone/Formality | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Keep someone updated | Very similar in meaning and usage. Often interchangeable with "keep someone posted." Perhaps slightly more neutral. | "Could you keep us updated on the sales figures?" |
| Keep someone in the loop | Informal. Implies including someone in ongoing communication and decision-making processes, ensuring they are aware of what's happening. | "Make sure to keep Sarah in the loop about the client feedback." |
| Inform someone (of/about something) | More formal and general. It can refer to a single piece of information or ongoing updates. | "Please inform the manager of your decision immediately." |
| Let someone know | General and common. Can be used for single pieces of information or for ongoing updates. Usually informal to neutral. | "Let me know when you arrive safely." |
| Fill someone in | Informal. Means to provide someone with information they have missed, often about recent events or discussions. | "Can you fill me in on what happened at the meeting I missed?" |
| Apprise someone (of something) | Formal. Means to inform or tell someone about something important. | "The lawyer will apprise her client of the court's decision." |
Example English Conversations
Seeing "keep someone posted" in action can really help solidify your understanding. Here are a few short dialogues:
Dialogue 1: Friends Planning a Trip
Alex: "Hey Maria, have you found any good flight deals for our trip to Spain yet?" Maria: "Not yet, I'm still searching. Prices seem to change daily!" Alex: "Okay, no problem. Just keep me posted, will you? I need to book my time off work soon." Maria: "Absolutely! I'll let you know as soon as I find something promising."
Dialogue 2: Colleagues Discussing a Project Deadline
Mr. Chen: "Sarah, how is the marketing report coming along? The deadline is next Friday." Sarah: "I'm making good progress, Mr. Chen. I've gathered most of the data and started drafting the analysis." Mr. Chen: "Excellent. Keep me posted on your progress, especially if you run into any roadblocks." Sarah: "Will do. I'll send you a brief update by the end of day tomorrow."
Dialogue 3: Family Member Awaiting News
Liam: "Hi Mum, any news from the hospital about Aunt Carol?" Mum: "She's out of surgery, and the doctor said it went well. We're waiting to hear more about her recovery." Liam: "That's a relief! Please keep me posted. I'm really worried." Mum: "Of course, sweetheart. I'll call you as soon as I have more information."
Practice Time!
Ready to test your understanding and use of "keep someone posted"? Try these fun and engaging tasks!
1. Quick Quiz!
Choose the correct meaning or usage for "keep someone posted" in the following sentences/options.
Question 1: "I'm waiting for the test results. Please ______ me ______ as soon as you hear anything!"
- a) keep / posting
- b) kept / post
- c) keep / posted
- d) kept / posted
Question 2: If someone asks you to "keep them posted," they want you to:
- a) Send them a letter.
- b) Regularly update them with new information.
- c) Post something on social media for them.
- d) Keep a secret.
Question 3: Which sentence uses "keep someone posted" correctly?
- a) "She kept posted her friend about the vacation."
- b) "He will keep you posting on the developments."
- c) "Please keep me posted about your progress."
- d) "They were kept post about the situation."
(Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-c)
2. Idiom Match-Up Game (Mini-Game):
Match the sentence beginnings in Column A with the correct endings in Column B to form logical sentences using or relating to the idiom.
| Column A (Beginnings) | Column B (Endings) |
|---|---|
| 1. The doctor said she would | a) if there are any significant changes to the schedule. |
| 2. As the project manager, it's my job to | b) on my grandmother's recovery after the surgery. |
| 3. Please keep me posted | c) keep the team posted on our weekly progress. |
| 4. I asked my sister to keep me posted | d) keep us posted on the patient's condition. |
(Answers: 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b)
Conclusion: Mastering Communication with English Expressions
Learning idioms like "keep someone posted" is a fantastic way to make your English sound more natural and fluent. It’s a practical phrase that shows you’re considerate and willing to inform someone about ongoing developments. By understanding its meaning, usage, and practicing with examples, you're well on your way to using it confidently in your daily conversations. Remember, effective communication is key, and this expression is a valuable tool in your English learning toolkit.
What's a situation where you recently had to "keep someone posted," or wished someone would "keep you posted"? Share your experiences in the comments below!