to keep tabs on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep tabs on" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to monitor or keep track of someone or something closely. Example: I have to keep tabs on my younger brother during the party to make sure he doesn't get into trouble. The boss asked me to keep tabs on the sales numbers for the quarter. In both of these examples, "to keep tabs on" implies keeping a close watch or monitoring something closely.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He encouraged members to keep tabs on one another and turn in rule-breakers.

Forbes

Bets was the only one who, somehow, managed to keep tabs on the whole simulated office.

Forbes

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

Independent

It's certainly the easiest to keep tabs on.

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 is also sure to keep tabs on Cesc Fàbregas.

The Guardian - Sport

When Bobby is out in the field, we do our best to keep tabs on him.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, bearish investors would do well to keep tabs on volatility, market strategists say.

The New York Times

Still, it's hard to keep tabs on what goes on inside a private room.

The New Yorker

The world's first webcam was created to keep tabs on a pot of coffee.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works exceptionally well in journalistic contexts to describe investigative oversight or political tracking.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "keep a tab on". While "keep a tab" can refer to a literal bar tab, the idiomatic expression for monitoring is almost always plural: "keep tabs on". Using the singular form can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep tabs on" acts as an idiomatic transitive verb phrase. It consists of a verb (keep), a plural noun (tabs) and a preposition (on). In the examples provided by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a predicate to indicate a process of continuous observation or record-keeping.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to keep tabs on" is a highly effective and versatile idiomatic expression used to denote close monitoring. Based on the extensive data from Ludwig, it is clear that this phrase is preferred by top-tier journalists and researchers to describe the act of staying informed about evolving situations. Whether you are discussing financial spending, wildlife tracking or organizational management, "to keep tabs on" provides a perfect balance of descriptive energy and professional clarity. Remember to always use the plural "tabs" and the preposition "on" to maintain idiomatic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep track of

The most literal and interchangeable non-idiomatic equivalent.

to monitor

Provides a more formal and technical tone suitable for academic or professional reporting.

to track

Focuses on following the progress or movement of something over a period of time.

to keep an eye on

A slightly more visual and often more informal idiom for staying alert to changes.

to follow closely

Emphasizes the intensity and attentiveness of the monitoring process.

to oversee

Implies a higher level of authority or management over the subject being watched.

to stay abreast of

Focuses on remaining updated with the latest information or developments.

to supervise

Shifts the focus toward active direction and responsibility for the subject.

to check in on

Suggests periodic or occasional monitoring rather than constant surveillance.

to observe

A more passive and detached way to describe watching something.

FAQs

How do I use "to keep tabs on" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep tabs on" to describe monitoring something closely. For example, "The manager needs "to keep tabs on" the project's budget to avoid overspending."

What is the difference between "to keep tabs on" and "to monitor"?

While both mean to watch closely, "to keep tabs on" is more idiomatic and slightly less formal. "to monitor" is often preferred in technical or clinical settings, whereas "to keep tabs on" is common in news and daily life.

Is "to keep tabs on" considered professional?

Yes, it is widely used in professional news outlets like The New York Times and The Economist. However, for extremely formal legal or scientific documents, "to observe" or "to track" might be safer choices.

Can I say "keep tabs of" instead?

No, the correct preposition is always "on". Phrases like "keep tabs of" or "keep tabs for" are grammatically incorrect in this idiomatic context. Always use "to keep tabs on".