I was tracking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was tracking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of monitoring or following the progress of something in the past. Example: "I was tracking the delivery status of my package throughout the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

So I was tracking all that stuff for years.

The New York Times

"I was tracking it all day long," he said.

The New York Times

"I was tracking the silhouette because the Kinect has this great user tracking data," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was tracking her from safe house to safe house," she says.

The Guardian - Books

Of course I was worried, but the vast majority of the metrics I was tracking looked good.

The New York Times

In London, I was tracking some pickpockets for a news program and had to go to the men's room.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As a child, I was tracked into remedial classes.

The New York Times

I was tracked for many days, taken by a poison arrow.

The New Yorker

"Is it really my life I'm tracking down?" he wonders.

The New Yorker

I'm tracking the ways U.S. identities are being defined in relation to religion.

Harvard University

As for proxy battles, I'm tracking more than three dozen real or threatened contests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was tracking" to describe a past action of monitoring something, whether it's a physical object, a trend, or data points. For example: "I was tracking the stock market closely last year."

Common error

Avoid using "I was tracking" to describe a current action. For ongoing monitoring, use "I am tracking" or "I track."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was tracking" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating a past continuous action of monitoring or following something. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase being correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was tracking" is a grammatically sound and common verb phrase used to describe a past action of monitoring or following something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile across various contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for general communication. It is particularly frequent in news and media, business, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tense and context to avoid confusion. Consider alternative phrases like "I monitored" or "I kept track of" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I kept track of

Focuses on maintaining a record or awareness of something's progress.

I monitored

Focuses on the act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time.

I kept tabs on

Suggests close and regular monitoring.

I followed

Highlights the act of observing the course or development of something.

I watched closely

Highlights careful and attentive observation.

I kept an eye on

Emphasizes continuous and vigilant observation.

I observed

Stresses the act of watching something carefully in order to gain information.

I oversaw

Indicates a supervisory role in monitoring progress.

I surveyed

Highlights a comprehensive observation of something.

I supervised

Emphasizes the act of directing and controlling something, including its monitoring.

FAQs

How can I use "I was tracking" in a sentence?

Use "I was tracking" to indicate a past action of monitoring or following something. For example: "I was tracking the flight's progress online" or "I was tracking her movements from a distance".

What can I say instead of "I was tracking"?

You can use alternatives like "I monitored", "I followed", or "I kept track of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am tracking" instead of "I was tracking"?

Yes, both are correct but have different meanings. "I am tracking" indicates a present action, while "I was tracking" refers to a past action. Choose the tense based on when the monitoring occurred.

What is the difference between "I was tracking" and "I've been tracking"?

"I was tracking" refers to a specific period in the past, while "I've been tracking" indicates an action that started in the past and may continue to the present. For example, "I was tracking the hurricane last week," versus "I've been tracking its progress for days now".