keeping tabs on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeping tabs on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of monitoring or observing someone or something closely. Example: "She has been keeping tabs on the project's progress to ensure everything stays on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We'll be keeping tabs on that one here on the blog.

The Guardian - Sport

He was keeping tabs on upcoming hacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Keeping tabs on doctors' competence is reasonable.

The New York Times

Naturally, she was keeping tabs on Ms. Hyland's party plans.

The New York Times - Arts

But who is keeping tabs on such spaces?

The Guardian

"He didn't want people keeping tabs on him," Jenny says.

The Guardian - Music

Rest assured we'll be keeping tabs on the Federer match.

The Guardian - Sport

"It became like keeping tabs on each other".

The New York Times

The trouble lies in keeping tabs on all the apps people like to use for work.

The Economist

The cash register is broken, so he's keeping tabs on an abacus.

The New York Times

We're keeping tabs on Denmark's "fat tax" (which took effect last Saturday).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeping tabs on" when you want to emphasize the act of regularly monitoring something or someone to stay informed about their status or progress. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "keeping tabs on" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise term like "monitoring" or "tracking" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sometimes sound too casual for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeping tabs on" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of monitoring or tracking something closely. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "keeping tabs on" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the act of monitoring or tracking something closely. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal scenarios, it's advisable to opt for more precise alternatives like "monitoring" or "tracking" in highly formal writing. The phrase essentially serves to convey a proactive effort to stay informed about ongoing developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeping an eye on

This alternative is more informal and suggests a less rigorous form of monitoring.

monitoring

This alternative focuses on the act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time.

following closely

This indicates a dedicated and attentive observation of events or developments.

tracking

This alternative implies following the development or movement of something, often with a specific goal in mind.

staying informed about

This focuses on the informational aspect of monitoring, emphasizing awareness.

observing

This alternative highlights the act of watching something carefully in order to learn more about it.

being vigilant of

This emphasizes the attentiveness and watchfulness in order to detect any potential issues or changes.

watching

This is a general term for paying attention to something over a period of time.

supervising

This suggests an authority or responsibility in overseeing something's progress or condition.

scrutinizing

This alternative suggests a more detailed and critical examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "keeping tabs on" to describe monitoring something. For example, "The company is "keeping tabs on" its competitors' strategies".

What's the difference between "keeping tabs on" and "monitoring"?

"Keeping tabs on" is a more informal way of saying "monitoring". While "monitoring" is often used in professional or technical contexts, "keeping tabs on" can be used in everyday conversation or less formal writing.

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

You can use alternatives like "tracking", "monitoring", or "observing" depending on the context.

Is "keeping tabs on" appropriate for formal writing?

While "keeping tabs on" is widely understood, it's generally better to use more formal alternatives like "monitoring" or "tracking" in academic or professional writing.