to keep a record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep a record" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of maintaining documentation or evidence of events, transactions, or information. Example: "It is important to keep a record of all financial transactions for accurate accounting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Participants were required to keep a record of their food intake throughout the day.

Appetite

For completeness sake, however, it is nice to keep a record of the Certificate Signing Requests.

Columbia University

PeerLibrary has a bunch of similar projects which we try to keep a record of here.

University of California, Berkeley

One of these includes our improved ability to keep a record of small yet important moments.

The New York Times

Companies use registrars to keep a record of who owns their shares.

The Guardian - Money

It's partly a logging app, to keep a record of their memories and daily activities.

The Guardian - Tech

The cookies enable Google to keep a record of your web-searching history.

The Guardian - Business

Scan old photos to save space, and photograph heirlooms to keep a record, many readers advised.

The New York Times

The board is required to keep a record of what happens in the meeting.

The New York Times

They were told to eat whatever else they wanted but to keep a record of what they ate.

Harvard University

Miller asked professional exotic dancers to keep a record of their nightly tip earnings for two months.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase “to keep a record”, ensure you specify what type of record is being kept (e.g., financial records, medical records, meeting minutes) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase “to keep a record” without specifying the purpose. State why the record is being kept (e.g., for auditing, compliance, future reference) to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep a record" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a larger verb phrase. It indicates the action of maintaining documentation or evidence. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

41%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to keep a record" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the action of maintaining documentation. As Ludwig confirms, its frequent usage across various domains such as science, news, and academia demonstrates its versatility. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the type and purpose of the record for clarity. Alternatives like "to maintain documentation" or "to document information" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "to keep a record" is a reliable phrase for conveying the importance of maintaining a documented account.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep a log

Alternative expression with a slightly more informal tone.

to document information

Highlights the act of recording details.

to log activities

Implies a chronological record of events.

to maintain documentation

Focuses on formal, official records.

to register events

Highlights the act of formally recording events.

to preserve data

Emphasizes protecting data for future use.

to track progress

Focuses on monitoring and recording advancement.

to archive details

Suggests storing records for long-term retention.

to chronicle happenings

More formal and literary way to describe recording events.

to put something on record

Emphasizes making something officially known.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep a record" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep a record" to indicate the act of maintaining information, such as "It is important "to keep a record" of all expenses".

What are some alternatives to "to keep a record"?

Alternatives include "to maintain documentation", "to preserve data", or "to document information", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "to keep a record"?

It is appropriate to use "to keep a record" in situations where you need to maintain a formal or informal account of events, transactions, or other relevant data.

What is the difference between "to keep a record" and "to make a record"?

"To keep a record" implies maintaining an existing record, while "to make a record" refers to creating a new one. For instance, you might "to make a record" of the initial transaction and then "to keep a record" of all subsequent transactions.