Keep Track Of – Meaning and Examples
Do you ever make a list to remember all the things you need to do? Or maybe you watch your bank account to see where your money goes? When you watch things carefully, we say you keep track of them.
This is a very common and practical phrase used every day to mean monitoring information or progress. Let’s learn how to keep track of works!
What Does “To Keep Track Of” Mean?
“To keep track of” means to monitor someone or something continuously, or to stay informed about its status or location. Essentially, it means to remember where something is, how much of something you have, or how someone is doing.
Think of it like a train on a railway. You need to watch it to know where it is and when it will arrive. When you keep track of something, you are the person watching the train.
It is used in a non-literal sense and is about mental monitoring, not physical tracking.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in almost any situation where monitoring or remembering is necessary:
- Finances: Remembering how much money you spend.
- Tasks and Deadlines: Monitoring project progress at work or school.
- People/Items: Knowing the location or status of friends, family, or possessions.
This phrase is neutral and is appropriate for all types of conversations, from casual to professional settings.
Example Sentences
- I write everything down because it’s hard to keep track of all my assignments.
- We use special software to keep track of all the inventory in the warehouse.
- The coach always keeps a close eye on the team’s health to keep track of injuries.
- Can you keep track of the time so we don’t miss the movie?
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “I feel like I’m always running out of groceries.”
Jamie: “You should make a list and try to keep track of what you use every week.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not forget the preposition “of” at the end of the phrase; it is necessary before the object (what you are monitoring).
❌ Don’t say: “I need to keep track my spending.” (Missing “of”)
✅ Do say: “I need to keep track of my spending.” (Correct structure.)
Practice Tip
For the next few hours, try to use the phrase to talk about small things: “I must keep track of my keys,” or “I need to keep track of the time.” Practice helps you remember!
Final Note
Excellent! You now know how to keep track of things, information, and people in English. This is a vital phrase for organizing your life and conversations.
Be sure to practice it today! Keep using these new phrases, and your English will improve quickly!