I made a mental note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I made a mental note" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have remembered something important or intend to remember it for future reference. Example: "During the meeting, I made a mental note to follow up on the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I made a mental note of that.

The New York Times - Travel

I made a mental note to investigate.

The New York Times - Sports

I made a mental note of how many there were.

The Guardian

I made a mental note: Call Epstein to suggest dinner.

The New York Times - Sports

I made a mental note to order the book and promptly lost the note.

The New York Times

I made a mental note to be careful about what I threw away.

The New Yorker

I made a mental note to buy myself both those items first thing tomorrow.

The New Yorker

I made a mental note to ask Dr. Yang at our next session.

The New York Times

I made a mental note to bring a Steely Dan CD for my next appointment.

The New York Times

I made a mental note to go for my second jog of the year soon.

The Guardian

I made a mental note to contact her if I ever decide to change genders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in the first person, consider the phrase's impact on the reader. It often conveys a sense of attentiveness and intentionality. Overusing it, however, can make the narrative seem overly deliberate or contrived.

Common error

Avoid using "I made a mental note" too frequently within a short span of writing. Overuse can make the narrative sound repetitive or the character seem overly meticulous, detracting from the overall flow and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I made a mental note" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker or writer consciously registered something for later recall or action. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples confirm its function in narrating internal thought processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I made a mental note" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that effectively conveys the intention to remember something for future action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and frequently used in writing. Its prevalence in news and media highlights its versatility, while alternative phrases such as "I took note" and "I committed it to memory" offer stylistic variations. However, be careful of overusing it and consider the context of use. It is important to use this phrase when you consciously register information to be remembered and used in the future.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I took note

Slightly more concise; omits the "mental" aspect which is implicit.

I committed it to memory

Emphasizes the intention to remember, rather than just noting.

I registered it in my mind

More formal and emphasizes the cognitive process.

I flagged it for later

Indicates a planned follow-up, more action-oriented.

I filed that away

Implies storing the information for future use.

I etched it in my memory

Highlights the vividness or importance of the memory.

I kept it in mind

Focuses on continuous awareness rather than a single act of noting.

I took cognizance of it

More formal and emphasizes awareness.

I bore that in mind

More idiomatic and suggests a sustained consideration.

I took it on board

Suggests acceptance and understanding in addition to noting.

FAQs

How can I use "I made a mental note" in a sentence?

Use "I made a mental note" to indicate that you consciously registered something for later recall or action. For example, "During the meeting, "I made a mental note" to follow up on the project deadline".

What are some alternatives to "I made a mental note"?

You can use alternatives like "I took note", "I committed it to memory", or "I registered it in my mind" depending on the context.

Is "I made a mental note of that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I made a mental note of that" is grammatically correct. The "of that" specifies what you made a mental note about, providing additional context.

What is the difference between "I made a mental note" and "I took a mental note"?

"I made a mental note" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "I took a mental note" is less frequently used and might sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers. Sticking with ""I made a mental note"" is generally preferable.