keep tab on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep tab on" is not correct; it should be "keep tabs on." You can use it when referring to monitoring or tracking someone or something over time.
Example: "I need to keep tabs on the project's progress to ensure we meet the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The U.S. offered the service of the Coast Guard to keep tab on drifting icebergs, & other nations agreed to share expenses pro rata.

The New Yorker

One of his proposals, for example, was to have Federal Express keep tab on immigrants because "they know how to track packages".

Huffington Post

Keep tab on average annual returns as well as company performance.

WikiHow

Before purchasing a stock, investors should understand company fundamentals, keep tab on price fluctuations, study price trends using long-term price charts and read news threads relating to the company.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In the general scheme of life, parents are the ones who keep tabs on the children.

The New York Times

Keep tabs on that game here.

The New York Times

To keep tabs on tomorrow: Primaries in ten states.

The New Yorker

"They just want to keep tabs on us," he said.

The New Yorker

He's not an easy man to keep tabs on.

Independent

We keep tabs on them through their parents.

The Guardian - Sport

He is also sure to keep tabs on Cesc Fàbregas.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form, "keep tabs on", to ensure grammatical accuracy and avoid sounding uneducated.

Common error

Avoid using the incorrect singular form "keep tab on". Remember that "tabs" is the correct plural noun in this idiom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep tab on" functions as part of a verb phrase, though it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "keep tabs on." Ludwig highlights the correct usage as a way to describe monitoring or tracking something. It implies maintaining awareness of something over time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep tab on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "keep tabs on". As pointed out by Ludwig, this expression means to monitor or track something closely. Although "keep tab on" appears in some sources, sticking to ""keep tabs on"" ensures grammatical accuracy. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, though its overall frequency is rare. Remember to use the plural form to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor

A direct synonym that implies regular observation.

track

Similar to monitor, but often implies following progress over time.

keep track of

More common and grammatically correct alternative, with similar meaning.

keep an eye on

Idiomatic alternative suggesting vigilance.

watch

A more general term for observing.

observe

Implies a more formal and detached form of watching.

oversee

Suggests responsibility for monitoring something.

follow

To observe or monitor the activities or progress of.

scrutinize

Implies a detailed and critical examination.

survey

To look closely at or examine someone or something

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "keep tab on"?

The correct idiomatic expression is "keep tabs on", using the plural form of "tab". For example, "I need to "keep tabs on" the project's progress".

What does "keep tabs on" mean?

It means to monitor something or someone closely, ensuring you are aware of their activities or progress over time.

Which is correct, "keep tab on" or "keep tabs on"?

"Keep tabs on" is the correct and commonly accepted form. "Keep tab on" is grammatically incorrect. Use ""keep tabs on"".

What can I say instead of "keep tabs on"?

You can use alternatives like "monitor", "track", or "keep track of" depending on the context.