keep track
يتابع
Littéralement: to hold or maintain a path/trail
Use it whenever you are monitoring a moving target like time, money, or a busy schedule.
En 15 secondes
- Stay organized by monitoring changing information or items.
- Always use 'of' before the thing you are monitoring.
- Commonly used for time, money, tasks, and physical belongings.
Signification
It means to stay organized and aware of information as it changes over time. You use it when you don't want to forget details like dates, money, or progress.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Managing finances
I use an app to keep track of my monthly expenses.
I use an app to monitor my monthly spending.
Losing track of time
I'm sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of the time while reading.
I'm sorry I'm late; I forgot what time it was while reading.
In a business meeting
Can you keep track of the minutes for this meeting?
Can you record the notes for this meeting?
Contexte culturel
The phrase likely originates from the 19th-century practice of following physical trails or 'tracks' in the wilderness. Today, it has shifted into the digital realm, where 'tracking' is the primary way we interact with fitness data and delivery packages. In English-speaking cultures, being someone who 'keeps track' is often seen as a sign of a reliable and organized person.
The 'Of' Rule
Always remember to add 'of' if you name the thing you are tracking. If you just say 'I'm keeping track,' it's okay to stop there!
Don't Sound Like a Spy
If you say 'I'm keeping track of you' to a person, it might sound like you are watching them too closely. Use 'following your work' instead in professional settings.
En 15 secondes
- Stay organized by monitoring changing information or items.
- Always use 'of' before the thing you are monitoring.
- Commonly used for time, money, tasks, and physical belongings.
What It Means
Keep track is about staying organized in a messy world. It means you are monitoring something so you don't lose the details. Think of it like following footprints in the snow. If you stop looking, you lose the path. In life, we keep track of things like time, money, or how many coffees we've had today.
How To Use It
You usually follow this phrase with the word of. You keep track of your keys or keep track of your schedule. It is a very flexible verb phrase. You can use it for physical objects or abstract ideas. It works in the past tense too, like 'I kept track of every penny I spent.' It’s your go-to phrase for staying on top of things.
When To Use It
Use it when there is a lot of information moving around. Use it at work during a busy project. Use it at home when you're managing a big family event. It's perfect for when you are being responsible. If a friend asks how you stay so organized, tell them you keep track of everything in a journal. It sounds proactive and smart.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a single, one-time action. You don't keep track of a door you just closed. That's just 'remembering.' Also, don't use it if you are literally following someone like a spy. That is 'stalking' or 'following.' Keep track implies a helpful or necessary record-keeping. Using it for a person can sometimes sound a bit controlling or creepy if the context is wrong.
Cultural Background
This phrase likely comes from hunting or navigation. Hunters had to follow 'tracks' or footprints to find food. In modern Western culture, we are obsessed with data. We have apps to keep track of our steps, our sleep, and our calories. It reflects a culture that values efficiency and 'staying on top' of one's life. Being 'on track' is a sign of success.
Common Variations
The opposite is to lose track. This happens when you get distracted. You might lose track of time while scrolling on your phone. You can also say 'stay on track' if you want to remain focused. If someone is doing the monitoring for you, they are 'keeping tabs' on the situation. That's a bit more informal and sometimes implies suspicion.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any situation. Just remember that it implies a continuous action rather than a one-time event.
The 'Of' Rule
Always remember to add 'of' if you name the thing you are tracking. If you just say 'I'm keeping track,' it's okay to stop there!
Don't Sound Like a Spy
If you say 'I'm keeping track of you' to a person, it might sound like you are watching them too closely. Use 'following your work' instead in professional settings.
Tracking Culture
Americans love 'trackers.' From 'habit trackers' to 'package trackers,' using this phrase makes you sound like you value productivity.
Exemples
6I use an app to keep track of my monthly expenses.
I use an app to monitor my monthly spending.
Focuses on financial organization.
I'm sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of the time while reading.
I'm sorry I'm late; I forgot what time it was while reading.
A very common social excuse.
Can you keep track of the minutes for this meeting?
Can you record the notes for this meeting?
Refers to recording official notes.
It's hard to keep track of who is actually coming to the party.
It's hard to know exactly who is attending.
Expresses frustration with disorganized information.
With five kids, I can barely keep track of their names, let alone their homework!
With five kids, I can't even remember their names.
Exaggerates for comedic effect.
I've been keeping track of your progress, and I'm so proud of how far you've come.
I have been watching your growth and I am proud.
Shows care and attention to someone's journey.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
It is important to keep track ___ your passwords.
The phrase is almost always 'keep track of' followed by the object.
Which verb fits best in this context of losing focus?
I was so busy that I ___ track of the date.
'Lost track' is the standard idiom for failing to stay aware of something.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Keep Track'
Talking to friends about a TV show plot.
I can't keep track of all these characters!
Daily life and organization.
Keep track of your receipts.
Business reporting and data.
We must keep track of the quarterly metrics.
When to Keep Track
Fitness
Counting your daily steps.
Travel
Watching your luggage at the airport.
Cooking
Monitoring the timer for the oven.
Social
Remembering whose turn it is to pay.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means to stay informed about something as it changes. For example, keep track of the score during a football match.
Yes, but be careful. Saying I keep track of my kids is normal, but saying it to a coworker might sound like you are spying on them.
Yes, it is neutral. However, in a resume, words like monitored or managed might sound slightly more professional.
The opposite is lose track. You use this when you forget something or get confused, like I lost track of time.
Remember is about a single memory, while keep track is a continuous process of watching or recording information.
No, that is a common mistake. The correct preposition is always of, as in keep track of the weather.
Keeping tabs is similar but more informal and often implies you are watching someone's behavior closely.
The past tense is kept track. For example: I kept track of my calories all last week.
No, it is a standard English collocation used in both casual conversation and business environments.
It is a very common idiom for when you get so focused on an activity that you forget how long you've been doing it.
Expressions liées
lose track
To fail to stay informed or aware of something.
keep tabs on
To monitor someone or something closely (informal).
stay on top of
To remain in control and informed about a situation.
keep an eye on
To watch something carefully to ensure it is safe or progressing well.
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