keep tabs on

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep tabs on' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to follow or monitor the activities or progress of someone or something. For example, "I've been keeping tabs on the progress of the project ever since I got involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

You must master REI's high-tech gadgets, using one computer to track your whereabouts and another to keep tabs on the weather.

The Economist

Keep tabs on that game here.

The New York Times

Indigenous neighbourhood committees now keep tabs on the population.

The Economist

How do you keep tabs on your emotional well-being?

The New York Times

The aficionados keep tabs on paper theaters in museum collections.

The New York Times - Arts

Do you keep tabs on how they're doing down here?

The New York Times

It's certainly the easiest to keep tabs on.

The New York Times

Mr Greenberg himself calls employees at every level to keep tabs on his own company.

The Economist

New ways of getting high proliferate faster than the authorities can keep tabs on.

The Economist

Collar-cams help anxious cat-lovers keep tabs on their wandering pets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in more formal environment consider to replace "keep tabs on" with alternatives like "monitor" or "track".

Common error

Avoid using "keep tabs on" when the situation requires more than just casual monitoring. If you need to emphasize intensive surveillance or control, a stronger term like "supervise" or "scrutinize" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep tabs on" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates monitoring or tracking someone or something, often to stay informed about their activities or progress. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts, ranging from parents monitoring children to companies monitoring customers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep tabs on" is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe monitoring or tracking someone or something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable, although its suitability can vary based on the formality of the context. While highly prevalent in news and media, it also finds use in formal business settings. When aiming for a more refined tone, consider alternatives like "monitor" or "track". Remembering these nuances will allow you to wield "keep tabs on" with confidence and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep an eye on

This alternative is more informal and suggests a watchful approach.

monitor

This alternative is a single word and is less idiomatic.

track

This alternative emphasizes following the progress or movement of something.

follow closely

This alternative emphasizes the degree of attention paid.

watch over

This alternative implies protection or care while observing.

observe

This alternative is more formal and detached.

stay informed about

This alternative focuses on receiving updates and information.

supervise

This alternative implies authority and control in monitoring.

remain updated on

This alternative underlines constant information gathering.

be aware of

This alternative suggests a general consciousness rather than active monitoring.

FAQs

How can I use "keep tabs on" in a sentence?

You can use "keep tabs on" to describe monitoring something or someone. For example, "The teacher "keeps tabs on" student progress" or "I "keep tabs on" my investments".

What's a more formal way to say "keep tabs on"?

More formal alternatives to "keep tabs on" include "monitor", "track", or "observe". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "keep tabs on" appropriate for professional writing?

While "keep tabs on" is widely understood, it might be perceived as slightly informal for certain professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "monitor" or "oversee" in formal reports or documents.

What is the difference between "keep tabs on" and "spy on"?

"Keep tabs on" suggests a general awareness and monitoring, often without negative connotations. "Spy on", on the other hand, implies secret and often unethical surveillance, suggesting a breach of privacy.