What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tracing
Example
She traced the outline of the flower with her pencil. [traced: past tense]
Example
The detective is tracing the suspect's movements on the night of the crime. [tracing: present participle]
tracking
Example
The satellite is tracking the hurricane's movement. [tracking: present participle]
Example
The company is tracking its sales performance using a software program. [tracking: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tracking is more commonly used than tracing in everyday language, especially in the context of business or technology. Tracing is less common and is often used in specific contexts, such as art or investigation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tracing and tracking?
Both tracing and tracking can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the situation. However, tracking is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, such as in academic or professional settings.
