difficult to keep track

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to keep track" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is hard to keep track of or follow. For example, "With so many news stories coming out every day, it's difficult to keep track of them all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's getting difficult to keep track of Douglas Rodriguez.

The New York Times - Arts

We find it difficult to keep track of them.

The New Yorker

It is very difficult to keep track of newspaper closures.

The Guardian

Mr. Romney bends the truth so frequently it's difficult to keep track (though some try).

The New York Times

It was difficult to keep track of the repayment money but I managed to, just about.

Independent

"It is difficult to keep track of them all," comments Ilir Dugolli, Kosovo's ambassador there.

The Economist

Too difficult to keep track of the pople involved in investigations and court cases.

The New Yorker

"PlayStation 4 is even more difficult to keep track of than WhatsApp".

Independent

"He was very nice to me, but difficult to keep track of," she remembered.

The Guardian

Even players' family members found it difficult to keep track of it all.

The Guardian - Sport

With more than three dozen votes cast, it's difficult to keep track.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to keep track", ensure that the subject you are tracking is clearly defined. This provides context and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse by varying your language. Instead of repeatedly stating something is "difficult to keep track" consider alternatives like "hard to monitor", "challenging to follow", or explicitly state the reasons for the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to keep track" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the characteristic of something being challenging to monitor or follow. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to keep track" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a challenge in monitoring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appearing in various contexts from news articles to scientific papers. While alternatives like "hard to follow" or "challenging to monitor" exist, it's essential to define the subject being tracked clearly and avoid overusing the phrase. Recognizing its neutral tone and communicative purpose ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hard to keep track

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", a more informal synonym.

Tough to keep track

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough", suggesting a greater degree of challenge.

Challenging to keep track

Uses "challenging" instead of "difficult", indicating a stimulating difficulty.

Hard to monitor

Replaces the idiom "keep track" with one alternative term: monitor

Difficult to monitor

Replaces the idiom "keep track" with one alternative term: monitor

Hard to follow

Uses a different verb, "follow", to convey the difficulty in understanding or monitoring.

Complex to keep track

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", focusing on the complicated nature of what's being tracked.

Cumbersome to keep track

Replaces "difficult" with "cumbersome", focusing on the burdensome nature of what's being tracked.

Impossible to keep track

Emphasizes the impossibility of tracking, making it a stronger statement.

Troublesome to keep track

Highlights the inconvenience and potential problems associated with tracking.

FAQs

What does "difficult to keep track" mean?

The phrase "difficult to keep track" means something is challenging to monitor, follow, or remember due to complexity, volume, or other factors.

How can I use "difficult to keep track" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "With so many ongoing projects, it's difficult to keep track of all the deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to keep track"?

Alternatives include "hard to follow", "challenging to monitor", or "tough to keep track", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "difficult to keep track" and "impossible to keep track"?

"Difficult to keep track" suggests a challenge in monitoring, while "impossible to keep track" indicates that monitoring is not feasible at all. The latter implies a greater degree of difficulty.