an audit trail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an audit trail" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to tracking and documenting the history of actions or changes in a system, often in finance, IT, or compliance. Example: "The software provides an audit trail that allows us to review all changes made to the financial records."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

26 An audit trail will be maintained to help ensure transparency.

BMJ Open

Who keeps an audit trail?

The Economist

Would there be an audit trail of his interventions?

The Guardian

It tracks its progress and creates an audit trail.

The New York Times - Tech

Sending texts from a central system leaves an audit trail.

The Guardian - Tech

"Now I understand why these guys resisted technology; they didn't want to leave an audit trail".

The New York Times

Of $438.2 million from the second set, an audit trail was available for only 1percentt.

The New York Times

She also likes the fact that Kinesis keeps an audit trail of questions and answers.

The Guardian

In the search for a deep fat fryer, for example, an audit trail should detect unauthorized use.

The New York Times - Tech

In other words, an audit trail must exist that can establish where each transaction originated and how it was processed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unless you do an audit trail there is no way that you would know how that mutation happened.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting processes, ensure your "audit trail" includes timestamps, user IDs, and descriptions of changes for maximum clarity and accountability.

Common error

Don't make the mistake of creating an "audit trail" that's too high-level. Ensure it captures sufficient detail to reconstruct events accurately and identify potential discrepancies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an audit trail" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a system or process that meticulously records and tracks actions, changes, or transactions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in contexts related to tracking and documenting the history of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an audit trail" is a widely used and grammatically sound noun phrase that signifies a traceable record of events or transactions. Ludwig AI highlights its common usage in tracking and documenting actions across diverse fields. Its primary function is to convey accountability and transparency, making it essential in business, technology, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "a record of changes" or "a documentation log" exist, it's crucial to ensure that the "audit trail" is sufficiently detailed to accurately reconstruct events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a record of changes

Focuses on the documentation aspect, emphasizing the chronological recording of alterations.

a documentation log

Highlights the logging of events for future reference, differing slightly in formality.

a historical record

Emphasizes the chronological aspect and the preservation of past events.

a chain of evidence

Suggests a sequence of events that can be traced back to its origin, often used in legal contexts.

a paper trail

Refers to a documented history of transactions, often implying a physical or easily traceable record.

a transaction history

Specifically refers to a record of transactions, often financial or digital.

a tracking system

Focuses on the ability to monitor and trace activities or changes within a system.

a record of accountability

Emphasizes the responsibility and traceability associated with actions and decisions.

a forensic log

Implies a detailed and systematic record used for investigative or analytical purposes.

an access log

Highlights the tracking of user access and activities within a system.

FAQs

How is "an audit trail" typically used in a sentence?

An "audit trail" is used to show that there's a traceable record of transactions or activities. For example: "The system creates an audit trail for every user action."

What's the difference between "an audit trail" and "a paper trail"?

"An audit trail" is a broader term referring to any traceable record, while "a paper trail" specifically implies physical documents. An audit trail can be digital.

What are some synonyms for "an audit trail"?

Synonyms include "record of changes", "documentation log", or "historical record", each emphasizing a different aspect of traceability and documentation.

Why is it important to maintain "an audit trail"?

Maintaining "an audit trail" is important for accountability, compliance, and security. It enables tracing errors, detecting fraud, and verifying the integrity of data.