Cool MateKeep an eye on the clock vs Monitor
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Keep an eye on the clock
Top 2,000 (common)
Monitor
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
| Keep an eye on the clock | Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ən aɪ ɒn ðə klɒk//🇺🇸 //kip ən aɪ ɑn ðə klɑk// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɒnɪtə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɑːnɪtər/"]/ |
| Meaning | To watch the time carefully. | A screen used to see pictures or text from a computer. |
| Example | You should keep an eye on the clock during the exam. | The teacher will monitor the students' progress throughout the semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | keep an eye on time, keep an eye on details, keep an eye on someone | colour/color, digital, CCTV, on a/the monitor, baby, foetal/fetal, heart, detect something, display something, show something, hooked up to a monitor, UN, ceasefire, election, UN, ceasefire, election |
| Antonyms | - | ignore, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'keep an eye on' without specifying what to watch., Using 'clock' in a non-timely context., Missing the sense of vigilance in the phrase. | Confused with 'minotor', a common misspelling., Using 'monitor' as a verb without an object, e.g., 'I will monitor' instead of 'I will monitor the situation.' |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when reminding someone to pay attention to the time. It's informal and may not be appropriate in very formal settings. | Use 'monitor' when referring to computer screens or when talking about observing something continuously. More formal contexts may use it to describe supervision or tracking. |
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Frequently asked questions: Keep an eye on the clock vs Monitor
What's the difference between Keep an eye on the clock and Monitor?
Keep an eye on the clock: To watch the time carefully. Monitor: A screen used to see pictures or text from a computer.
Can you show an example of each?
Keep an eye on the clock: You should keep an eye on the clock during the exam. Monitor: The teacher will monitor the students' progress throughout the semester.
Can I use Keep an eye on the clock and Monitor interchangeably?
Not always. Keep an eye on the clock and Monitor are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.