Definitions
- Referring to the act of monitoring or keeping a record of something over time. - Talking about following the progress or movement of something, such as a package or shipment. - Describing the process of observing or investigating something closely.
- Referring to the act of going after or pursuing someone or something. - Talking about adhering to or obeying a set of rules or guidelines. - Describing the process of keeping up with or staying informed about something or someone.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve keeping up with something or someone.
- 2Both can be used in the context of surveillance or observation.
- 3Both can be used as verbs or gerunds/present participles.
- 4Both imply some level of attention or focus on the subject being tracked or followed.
What is the difference?
- 1Action: Tracking is more passive and involves monitoring or recording something over time, while following is more active and involves pursuing or going after something or someone.
- 2Purpose: Tracking is often done for analysis or research purposes, while following is often done for personal or investigative reasons.
- 3Direction: Tracking can be done in any direction, while following implies movement in the same direction as the subject being followed.
- 4Connotation: Tracking can have a neutral or positive connotation, while following can have a negative connotation if it implies stalking or harassment.
- 5Scope: Tracking can refer to a wide range of subjects, while following is typically used in the context of people or animals.
Remember this!
Tracking and following are both words that involve keeping up with something or someone. However, tracking is more passive and involves monitoring or recording something over time, while following is more active and involves pursuing or going after something or someone. Tracking is often done for analysis or research purposes, while following is often done for personal or investigative reasons.
