"the police are tracking down" vs "the police are tracing"

Question

"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

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.

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 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.

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

the police are tracking down

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

Answer 2

the police are tracing

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 tracking down" vs "the police are tracing"

the police are tracking down

the police are tracing

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