keep a vigilant eye

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep a vigilant eye" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to careful attention and observation, especially in order to prevent a dangerous or undesirable situation. Example: "It's important to keep a vigilant eye on the road when driving, to make sure you and other motorists stay safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Keep a vigilant eye on them: you'll probably need to add more after an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, the government-appointed elder siblings keep a vigilant eye on, and detailed records of, any manifestation of "extremism".

The Guardian - Opinion

If anything in the whole architecture is going to fall prey to a malicious hacker, it's more than likely going to be the Web server; so one should keep a vigilant eye on it.

Special Ops Host and Network Security for Microsoft, UNIX, and Oracle

Now, to block the revolving doors of the juvenile justice system, officials with the state court are planning to establish a specialized court to keep a vigilant eye on young probation violators.

The New York Times

Issuing the storm warning, Matt Friedlein from the national weather service told the Associated Press: "People can fall into complacency because they don't see severe weather and tornados, but we do stress that they should keep a vigilant eye on the weather and have a means to hear a tornado warning because things can change very quickly".

Independent

The Chinese have no culture of compliance and cut corners on safety and quality when squeezed on price, says Susan Aaronson of the George Washington University School of Business in Washington, DC.So western firms doing business in China have a responsibility to do their homework and keep a vigilant eye on their suppliers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Worsley kept a vigilant eye on his companions.

The New Yorker

Indeed, in common with the best political columnists, Hertzberg keeps a vigilant eye on language.

The New York Times - Books

One is that the crisis might not have come about if all members of the Security Council had kept a vigilant eye on Iraq's misbehaviour.

The Economist

He had dozens of Jewish friends and kept a vigilant eye out for evidence of anti-semitism, both on theatre stages and in print.

The New Yorker

Warming the teapot with hot water before carefully measuring the Earl Grey, the instructor kept a vigilant eye on the kettle heating on the stove.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep a vigilant eye" when you want to emphasize the importance of being constantly aware of potential dangers or problems. It's stronger than simply 'pay attention'.

Common error

While "keep a vigilant eye" is appropriate for news reports or formal instructions, consider using a more casual phrase like "keep an eye on" or "watch out for" in everyday conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep a vigilant eye" functions as a directive or recommendation, urging careful observation and attention. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is appropriate and well-supported by examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

29%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep a vigilant eye" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that advises careful and constant observation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "keep a close watch" or "be on the lookout" exist, this phrase effectively conveys the importance of alertness. Remember to consider the context and adjust formality accordingly, avoiding overuse in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone. Its function is to advise watchful and alert actions and the phrase is more frequent in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a close watch

A very similar expression focusing on attentive observation.

observe carefully

Focuses on detailed and meticulous observation.

be ever-watchful

Emphasizes constant and unwavering vigilance.

pay close attention

This stresses focusing one's mental effort.

monitor closely

Implies a system or process being tracked.

maintain a watchful gaze

This phrase emphasizes sustained observation.

remain observant

Highlights a continuous state of awareness.

be on the lookout

This phrase suggests actively searching for something specific.

stay alert

This is a more general expression of readiness and awareness.

exercise caution

Implies a degree of risk aversion and careful consideration.

FAQs

What does "keep a vigilant eye" mean?

The phrase "keep a vigilant eye" means to watch something or someone very carefully, usually to detect potential problems or dangers.

How can I use "keep a vigilant eye" in a sentence?

You can use "keep a vigilant eye" in sentences like: "It's important to keep a vigilant eye on your investments" or "Parents should keep a vigilant eye on their children's online activities".

What are some alternatives to "keep a vigilant eye"?

Alternatives to "keep a vigilant eye" include "keep a close watch", "pay close attention", or "be on the lookout".

Is it better to say "keep a vigilant eye" or "keep a close eye"?

"Keep a vigilant eye" and "keep a close eye" are very similar. "Vigilant" suggests a more heightened level of alertness and readiness for potential danger than "close".