How to use "keep track of"

What Does "keep track of" Mean?

The expression keep track of means to monitor, observe, or stay informed about the progress, location, or status of someone or something over a period of time. It involves maintaining a continuous awareness or a written record of changing information.

This collocation is semi-idiomatic. While the verb "keep" and the noun "track" (in the sense of a trail or record) retain some of their literal essence, the phrase as a whole functions as a fixed unit to describe the act of monitoring. Its register is neutral, making it equally appropriate for casual conversation, business reports, and academic instructions.

How to Use It

The grammatical pattern for this expression is verb + noun + preposition (keep + track + of). It is followed by a direct object, which is the person or thing being monitored.

• Typical objects: You can keep track of time, money, people, data, or progress.
• Separability: Unlike some phrasal verbs, the core components "keep track" are rarely separated by other words, though you might occasionally see an adjective modifying the noun (e.g., "keep a close track of").
• What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong verb (e.g., "hold track of" or "make track of") or the wrong preposition (e.g., "keep track on"). It also sounds unnatural to use it without an object unless the context is already clearly established (e.g., "It's hard to keep track").

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from keep track of on Ludwig.guru.

"Keep track of time." — The Guardian

"Keep track of expenses." — WikiHow

"Keep track of your sources." — WikiHow

"Keep track of the statistics." — WikiHow

"Keep track of Fido." — WikiHow

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
monitor	More formal and technical; often used in scientific or medical contexts.
keep an eye on	More idiomatic and informal; implies watching for safety or to prevent problems.
stay on top of	Informal; emphasizes being in control of a busy or complex situation.
log	Specifically refers to the act of writing down or recording data systematically.
follow	Neutral; can mean following a narrative or a person's progress on social media.
keep a record of	Formal; specifically denotes maintaining physical or digital documentation.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Preposition: Learners often use the wrong preposition, such as 'keep track on' or 'keep track about', instead of the required 'of'. Always remember the fixed pattern: keep track of [something].
• Verb Substitution: Using "lose" instead of "keep" changes the meaning to the opposite (failing to stay informed). Ensure you use keep for active monitoring.
• Confusing with 'track down': Do not confuse keep track of (monitoring something you already know) with "track down" (searching for something that is lost).

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
keep track of	To monitor or stay informed about something/someone	verb + noun + of + [object]	Neutral

FAQs

Can I separate the words in the phrase keep track of?

No, the phrase keep track of is a fixed collocation where the words must stay together in that specific order. You cannot place the object between "keep" and "track" as you might with some separable phrasal verbs.

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What is the difference between keep track of and monitor?

While both mean to observe something over time, monitor is a single verb that sounds more formal and clinical. The phrase keep track of is more neutral and is frequently used for everyday tasks like managing time or expenses.

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Is it correct to say keep track on the progress?

No, this is a common mistake where learners use the wrong preposition. You must always use of; saying "keep track on" or "keep track about" is grammatically incorrect in English idiomatic usage.