Can I have an update, please?

[queeniech]

Can I have an update, please?

Can anybody tell me the meaning of the above sentence?

 

[SoothingDave]

Which word don't you understand?

 

[queeniech]

Which word don't you understand?

Thanks Dave

I mean the "update".

 

[Raymott]

Which aspect of the dictionary definitions is causing you trouble? 'Update' could mean several different things. More context would be necessary to decide which meaning it has.

 

[Tdol]

The person is asking for information/news since they were last informed.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Then may I take 'Can I have an update?' to mean 'Can you give me updated information/news?'

Not a teacher.

 

[Tdol]

Yes, but the original sounds better to me.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Yes, but the original is confusing to learners like the OP and me.

 

[Polyester]

May I say "can I have a new version?" ?

 

[Barb_D]

May I say "can I have a new version?" ?

No. That suggests a document of some kind.
Please tell me what is new since we last talked.

 

[SoothingDave]

No. That suggests a document of some kind.
Please tell me what is new since we last talked.

Well, here's why context is important. If you were asking tech support for a new version of a program, you might ask "can I get an update?"

Updated software, that is.

Or, if you were asking someone to report on the progress of a project, you could also ask "can I get an update?"

Two different things meant by "update."

 

[Barb_D]

Well, here's why context is important. If you were asking tech support for a new version of a program, you might ask "can I get an update?"

Updated software, that is.

Or, if you were asking someone to report on the progress of a project, you could also ask "can I get an update?"

Two different things meant by "update."

That's a great point.
I think I'd say "the" update to mean "the most recent version of the software, versus "an update" to mean "new information on the project" but it's a great example of how important context is.

 

[Tdol]

I also thought about information as I'd use the update for software, but without context, it could be either.

 

[queeniech]

The person is asking for information/news since they were last informed.

Thanks Tdol

That's exactly what I want to ask. Can we just say "Please update me"?

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Update somebody on something'── quoted from http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/update_1

Not a teacher.