Definition on 'keep a record'.

[learning54]

Hi teachers,
Could this be a good definition for the underlined words? Is there a better one?
When you keep a record of something, you write it on a paper.

Thanks in advance

[JMurray]

To "keep a record" means to preserve certain information so you can refer to it in the future. Normally you would write the information down but you can also keep a record of something in your head.
"Nobody had a pen so I had to keep a record in my head of how many pies we sold".
So your definition is too narrow.

not a teacher

[learning54]

To "keep a record" means to preserve certain information so you can refer to it in the future. Normally you would write the information down but you can also keep a record of something in your head.
"Nobody had a pen so I had to keep a record in my head of how many pies we sold".
So your definition is too narrow.

not a teacher

Hi JMurray,
Thank you for your reply. That's exactly what I thought, that you can also keep a record of something in your head.
I've asked this question because the other day I found this excercise in a book.

1. When you keep a record of something,
a. you remember it.
b. you tell someone.
c. you write it on a piece of paper.

I though that 'a' could also be possible. That's why I've asked. Then 'a' has to be changed for another one in order to stablish 'c' as the only possible one. Right?

L54

[JMurray]

1. When you keep a record of something,
a. you remember it.
b. you tell someone.
c. you write it on a piece of paper.

Usually the point of "keeping a record in your head" is that you are preserving the information by deliberately remembering it for later recall. The problem with (a) is that it doesn't necessarily have that sense of remembering something on purpose, but could include anything that was remembered incidentally or even unconsciously, as with so much of what we experience.
It's worth adding that when we say we'll keep a record it would usually be assumed that we are keeping a written record.

[Rover_KE]

. . .But it needn't be written on 'a piece of paper'.

It could be recorded on any number of electronic devices such as a computer or mobile phone.

Rover

[tedtmc]

Can you say you 'keep a record' in your head (post # 2 & 3)?
It sounds funny to me.

[Rover_KE]

We say you make a mental note of it.

Rover

[learning54]

1. When you keep a record of something,
a. you remember it.
b. you tell someone.
c. you write it on a piece of paper.

Usually the point of "keeping a record in your head" is that you are preserving the information by deliberately remembering it for later recall. The problem with (a) is that it doesn't necessarily have that sense of remembering something on purpose, but could include anything that was remembered incidentally or even unconsciously, as with so much of what we experience.
It's worth adding that when we say we'll keep a record it would usually be assumed that we are keeping a written record.

Hi JMurray,
Thank you for your reply. So what should I write after '... of something', in order to explain the meaning of 'keep a record'?
Thanks

[learning54]

. . .But it needn't be written on 'a piece of paper'.

It could be recorded on any number of electronic devices such as a computer or mobile phone.

Rover

Hi sir,
Thank you for your reply. So, could you please tell me what to write after '... of something', in order to explain the meaning of 'keep a record' in a short sentence?

Thanks

[BobK]

Hi JMurray,
Thank you for your reply. That's exactly what I thought, that you can also keep a record of something in your head.
I've asked this question because the other day I found this excercise in a book.

1. When you keep a record of something,
a. you remember it.
b. you tell someone.
c. you write it on a piece of paper.

....

...
d you put it in some digital form (email, tweet...)
e you carve it on a desktop
f you engrave it on a block of stone
g you dictate a note into a tape recorder
h you make a footprint in the cement before it dries
... the possibilities are endless.

b