to be tracked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be tracked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability or possibility of monitoring or following the progress of something or someone. Example: "In this digital age, our online activities are often to be tracked by various companies for targeted advertising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nobody wants to be tracked".

The New Yorker

Very few people want to be tracked".

The New York Times - Tech

He called for the terrorists to be tracked down immediately.

The Guardian

"Do you want to be tracked?" he asked.

The New York Times - Tech

But she didn't want to be tracked down.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then Flight 11's transponder, which allows the plane's movements to be tracked, was switched off.

The Guardian

(The radioactivity is simply a label, enabling the molecules to be tracked).

The New York Times - Books

A full record of trunk identifiers could allow a phone's movements to be tracked.

The New Yorker

Files were shared peer-to-peer but had to be tracked by a central host site.

The Guardian - Books

What if Joe does not want to be tracked so intimately?

The New York Times - Tech

He was an extremely reluctant witness, who had to be tracked down by the coroner's team.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be tracked" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of being followed or monitored. This is particularly useful when the tracker is unknown or less important than the tracked entity.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the object being tracked. For example, instead of saying "They track the package", use "The package needs "to be tracked"" to highlight the package's journey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be tracked" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes the state of being followed or monitored. It indicates that an entity is the recipient of the action of tracking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be tracked" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to indicate that something or someone is being monitored or followed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is very common, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the focus is on the entity being tracked rather than the tracker, and consider alternatives like "to be monitored" or "to be followed" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be monitored

Focuses on the act of observing something over a period.

to be traced

Implies following the path or history of something.

to be followed

Suggests keeping up with the movements or progress.

to be surveyed

Indicates a comprehensive examination or assessment.

to be observed

Emphasizes the act of watching something closely.

to be audited

Implies a formal review or examination of records.

to be scrutinized

Suggests a very detailed and critical examination.

to be investigated

Indicates a systematic inquiry or examination to discover facts.

to be examined

Focuses on a careful inspection or analysis.

to be supervised

Suggests overseeing or directing someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "to be tracked" in a sentence?

You can use "to be tracked" when something or someone is being monitored or followed. For instance, "The package needs "to be tracked"" or "Patients in the study will need "to be tracked" longitudinally".

What are some alternatives to "to be tracked"?

Alternatives include "to be monitored", "to be followed", or "to be traced". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to be tracked" or "to track"?

It depends on whether you want to use passive or active voice. "To track" is active, focusing on the tracker, while "to be tracked" is passive, focusing on the entity being tracked. For example, "The company needs to track the shipments" versus "The shipments need "to be tracked"".

What's the difference between "to be tracked" and "to be traced"?

"To be tracked" generally means to follow the movements or progress of something. "To be traced" implies following a path or lineage back to its origin. For example, a package is tracked, while the source of a leak might need "to be traced".