the police are tracking down vs the police are tracing

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings and contexts. 'The police are tracking down' is used when the police are actively searching for someone or something, while 'the police are tracing' is used when the police are trying to follow the development or progress of something, such as a criminal activity. The choice between the two depends on the specific situation being described.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 755 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the police actively searching for someone or something.

"the police are tracking down"

This phrase is used when the police are actively pursuing or searching for a person, criminal, or object. It implies a sense of urgency and determination in the search.

Examples:

The police are tracking down the suspect in the robbery case.
The police are tracking down the stolen vehicle.
The police are tracking down the missing child.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 28, 2015 ... The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 28, 2015.The police are tracking down Charles Morais, the brother of murdered deputy public ...
Sep 7, 2015 ... GEORGE TOWN: The police are tracking down a motorcyclist, believed to be a Mat Rempit, who rammed his machine into a policewoman ...
Dec 13, 2015 ... In another development, the police are tracking down two people involved in a shooting incident at Kampung Pauh Sembilan, Tawang in ...
Jan 16, 2016 ... Munusamy was quoted as saying that the car was not reported stolen but belonged to a person in Seremban and the police are tracking down ...

Alternatives:

the police are searching for
the police are hunting down
the police are pursuing
the police are looking for
the police are on the trail of

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the police following the development or progress of something, such as a criminal activity.

"the police are tracing"

This phrase is used when the police are trying to follow the development or progress of something, such as a criminal activity or a series of events. It implies a process of investigation or monitoring.

Examples:

The police are tracing the source of the counterfeit money.
The police are tracing the phone calls made by the suspect.
The police are tracing the origins of the drug trafficking ring.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dottie Hinkle: You bitch! Beverly Sutphin: Now let me check the zip code. Two- one-two-fuck-you? Dottie Hinkle: The police are tracing this call this very minute.
3 days ago ... ... printed on the box to trace the product manufacturer, as a clue, the police are tracing packaging production year and the main sales office.
Dottie Hinkle: The police are tracing this call this very minute. Beverly Sutphin: Well, Dottie Hinkle, then why aren't they here, huh, fuckface? Dottie Hinkle: FUCK ...
212 Fuck You. Dottie Hinkle: The police are tracing this call this VERY minute. Beverly Sutphin: Well then Dottie Hinkle, why aren't they here? Huh, Fuck-face?

Alternatives:

the police are investigating
the police are monitoring
the police are following
the police are scrutinizing
the police are examining

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the police are tracking down vs the police are tracing