keep account of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep account of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to track or continuously monitor something, usually for record-keeping purposes. Example: As a clerk, it is important to keep account of all financial transactions made throughout the day. In this sentence, "keep account of" is used to describe the act of monitoring financial transactions for the purpose of recording them accurately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

At that time, Colonel Glines said, "the navigator's job was to plot a course and to give corrections to that course to the pilot during the flight and to keep account of time and distance and wind drift corrections as best he could".

The New York Times

Napster's computers will also keep account of which tracks are transferred.Related items The same old songFeb 22nd 2001 Napster: And the band plays onFeb 15th 2001 Bertelsmann and other Stiftungs: New chapterFeb 8th 2001 MONITOR: Teraflops from cyberspaceDec 7th 2000Using this basic service, Napster members would be charged between $2.95 to $4.95 a month to download a set number of recordings.

The Economist

"Imagine if we had a system that could keep account of all the objects that we interact with in our daily lives," the researchers said.

BBC

Planning is an instrument that in a "coercive" way defines urban order; generally, in its application it has to overcome obstacles of meaning that end up limiting its action, or to contrast the work of power groups that attempt to make it ineffective, or, again, keep account of the behaviour of citizens who evade its rules.

City, Territory and Architecture

Within such a dialogue, it is essential to keep account of how people themselves define what is at stake for their own lives.

Conflict and Health

To keep account of the response rate the three questionnaires filled out by physicians and physiotherapists had the same number, but were supplied with an additional a, b, and c.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The initiative requires a level of trust between pharmacists and volunteers, who all keep accounts of what has been bought or given on credit per shift.

The Guardian

A military judge has rejected the US government's attempts to keep accounts of the CIA's torture of a detainee secret, setting up a fateful choice for the Obama administration in staunching the fallout from its predecessor's brutal interrogations.

The Guardian

Its small staff of clerks became independent of those of the Chamber, and, since they had custody of the king's ready cash and jewels, it was a natural development for them to keep accounts of the king's privy purse, to purchase household stores, to pay mercenaries, and to lend small sums, as well as to receive payments made to the king as he traveled around the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Don't hold grudges or keep accounts of unkindness or mistakes, as if to be a judge.

WikiHow

The index-card system kept account of where individuals lived, what organizations and associations they were members of, what newspapers they subscribed to or merely read, who they associated with, where they worked and socialized, and what meetings they attended.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep account of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being tracked and the purpose of the record-keeping.

Common error

Avoid using "keep account of" in informal settings where simpler phrases like "keep track of" would be more appropriate. The phrase is suitable for contexts requiring formal record-keeping or detailed monitoring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep account of" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of maintaining a record or tracking something systematically. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show its use in contexts requiring careful observation and documentation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep account of" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the systematic tracking and recording of information. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples suggests that while the phrase is not exceptionally common, it appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts and demonstrates a formal register. Alternatives like "keep track of" or "maintain records of" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific context. Use "keep account of" when you want to emphasize detailed monitoring or systematic record-keeping. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is well-understood and utilized across various reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep track of

This alternative is more general and emphasizes monitoring rather than formal record-keeping.

maintain records of

This alternative emphasizes the act of preserving information in a structured manner.

keep a record of

Focuses on the act of recording, rather than the ongoing process of accounting.

monitor

This alternative is shorter and focuses on the act of observation and tracking changes.

track

A more concise alternative, primarily emphasizing the process of following progress or changes.

log

Emphasizes the act of recording events or data in a systematic manner.

document

Focuses on capturing and preserving information for future reference.

catalogue

Suggests a more comprehensive and organized listing of items or information.

register

Emphasizes the formal act of entering information into an official record.

inventory

Implies a detailed listing of items, often for commercial or administrative purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "keep account of" in a sentence?

You can use "keep account of" to describe tracking or monitoring something for record-keeping. For example, "As a clerk, it's important to keep account of all financial transactions".

What's the difference between "keep account of" and "keep track of"?

"Keep account of" often implies a more formal or detailed record-keeping process, while "keep track of" is more general and can refer to simply monitoring something.

What are some alternatives to "keep account of"?

Alternatives to "keep account of" include "maintain records of", "keep a record of", or simply "monitor", depending on the context.

Is "keep account of" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "keep account of" is suitable for academic writing when discussing research methodologies, data analysis, or any process involving detailed tracking and recording of information.