keep a close eye on vs keep an eye on

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. The addition of 'a close' in the first phrase emphasizes the need for careful observation, while the second phrase is more general.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1530 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the need for careful observation.

"keep a close eye on "

This phrase is used to indicate the importance of closely monitoring or observing something or someone.

Examples:

Please keep a close eye on the children while they play outside.
I'll keep a close eye on the progress of the project.
It's important to keep a close eye on your expenses to avoid overspending.
The security guard kept a close eye on the suspicious individual.
She always keeps a close eye on her health and well-being.

Show examples from the web [+]

One who could keep a close eye on things.
We must keep a close eye on technical possibilities.
And keep a close eye on Dunham.
Kre-Kre... keep a close eye on my mad genius, and make sure he has everything he needs.
Get some ice for that contusion and keep a close eye on him.
Arthur, you just keep a close eye on your brother and his friend.
On that subject, we will have to keep a close eye on the calendar, because, as you have stressed, 1 January 2007 is approaching rapidly.
Can you keep a close eye on Megan for me?
Asked you to keep a close eye on him.
I'll keep a close eye on my flammables.
We keep a close eye on things the first week.
The Council will continue to keep a close eye on the situation.
We will certainly have to keep a close eye on that.
This mechanism will enable the Commission to keep a close eye on developments in these very important areas.
We in Parliament are therefore right to keep a close eye on the situation.
We must keep a close eye on this balance.
The Commission will keep a close eye on developments in Russia.
So I want you to keep a close eye on her for the next 24 hours.
The European Union has actively supported the holding of these elections and should keep a close eye on what is happening in the DRC.
Sounds like Mr. Glass liked to keep a close eye on his family.

Alternatives:

monitor closely
watch carefully
keep a watchful eye on
keep a vigilant eye on
keep a sharp eye on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate monitoring or observing something or someone.

"keep an eye on "

This phrase is used to suggest keeping watch over something or someone, without emphasizing the level of scrutiny as strongly as 'keep a close eye on.'

Examples:

Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
I'll keep an eye on the weather forecast for our trip.
She asked her neighbor to keep an eye on her plants while she was away.
The teacher told the students to keep an eye on the time during the exam.
He always keeps an eye on the stock market for investment opportunities.

Alternatives:

watch over
keep watch on
keep tabs on
keep track of
be vigilant about

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keep a close eye on vs keep an eye on