contrôler le temps
The English phrase 'keep track of time' is translated into French as contrôler le temps.
The phrase is used when you are monitoring the time to ensure that a schedule is followed or a specific deadline is met.
Which one should you use?
The idiomatic expression garder un œil sur l'heure can be used to mean 'to keep an eye on the time'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the literal translation garder la trace du temps. While this is a direct translation of the English 'keep track of', it sounds unnatural in French when referring to time.
Did you know?
- The word contrôler is derived from a medieval term for a 'counter-roll' used to verify accounts. It originally meant checking one register against another to prevent fraud.
- The term temps can also mean 'weather' in many contexts, so saying contrôler le temps might occasionally be misunderstood as 'controlling the weather' if the context is vague.
- Unlike English, where 'track' implies a path or trail, contrôler emphasizes the act of verification and mastery over the schedule.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are working on a group project.
- GabrielOn a seulement deux heures pour finir.We only have two hours to finish.
- ChloéNe t'inquiète pas, je vais contrôler le temps.Don't worry, I will keep track of time.
- GabrielMerci, Chloé. On doit être rapides.Thanks, Chloé. We have to be fast.
- ChloéJe te préviendrai quand il restera dix minutes.I will let you know when there are ten minutes left.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contrôler, le, temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
