a mental record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mental record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the cognitive process of retaining information or memories in one's mind. Example: "After studying for hours, I felt like I had created a mental record of all the important concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Pay attention to how people behave; ask questions, both direct and indirect, to gauge their sentiments; and keep a mental record of your observations.

Harvard Business Review

Clouding memories with nitrous oxide is obviously useful in a traumatic context, but less so when you'd prefer a mental record of your weekend.

Vice

Erasing memories with nitrous oxide is obviously useful in a traumatic context, but less so when you'd prefer a mental record of your weekend.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"And I'm guessing that the first time you slept with him was soon after we had our date in Shibuya?" She turned a page in her mental record book.

The New Yorker

Housing officers were on duty 24 hours a day; a GP ran sessions there; a health visitor was on call; and the social worker was able to build up a mental health record, enabling a care plan to be implemented.

The Guardian

Following the recent shooting in an Ohio high school, in which three students were killed and two wounded, one of the first questions CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked Martin Savidge was whether or not the alleged shooter, T.J. Lane, had a mental health record.

Huffington Post

I. 2 "Because one of the main issues is that you have to have a medical and they aren't going to employ somebody with a mental health record.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In my mental record book, Galarraga will join the rare list of pitchers who have thrown a perfect game.

The New York Times - Sports

Of the 845 consecutive pregnant smokers (mean age 27.8 years, SD 6.2; 39% non-white) from two inner city maternity services with opt-in smoking cessation policies and routine data available electronically from 2011, 112 (13.3%) had a current diagnosis of a mental disorder recorded, and 111 (13.1%) were Whooley positive.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Pregnant smokers with a mental disorder recorded by midwives were one-quarter of the cohort (97, 23%), were more likely to accept referral to smoking cessation services (69% versus 56%, adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.03 2.79), but more likely to still smoke at delivery (69% versus 56%, adjusted odds ratio 2.63, 95% confidence interval 1.41 4.92).

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mental record" when you want to emphasize the active process of noting and retaining information, especially observations or sentiments.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "a mental record", which refers to a personal act of remembering, with "a mental health record", which is a formal document containing information about a person's mental health history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mental record" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to an internal cognitive storage or registry of information. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to describe the act of retaining information, observations, or impressions in one's mind.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mental record" is a noun phrase used to describe the act of retaining information or observations in one's mind. Ludwig identifies its grammatical status as correct, though its frequency is rare, mainly appearing in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is important not to confuse it with "a mental health record". Consider alternatives like "a memory" or "a mental note" depending on the specific context. It's useful when emphasizing the personal cognitive process of retaining observations or sentiments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a memory

This alternative is a single word that represent the fact of remembering something.

a recollection

This alternative refers to the act of recalling past events or experiences.

a cognitive imprint

This phrase is more technical, emphasizing the lasting effect of an experience on the mind.

a mental note

This suggests a brief, informal record in one's mind, often for later action.

a remembrance

This is a more formal or sentimental term for a memory.

an impression

Focuses on the effect an experience has on someone's mind.

a mental image

This alternative refers to a visual representation in the mind.

an inner archive

This phrase uses a metaphor of the mental process of collecting and storing of memories.

a subconscious registration

This alternative emphasizes the passive of recording something in memory.

an cognitive trace

This alternative suggests a subtle, lasting impression on the mind.

FAQs

How can I use "a mental record" in a sentence?

You can use "a mental record" to describe the act of retaining information in your mind, for example: "I keep "a mental record" of customer preferences to improve service".

What's a good alternative to "a mental record"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a memory", "a mental note", or "a recollection".

Is "a mental record" formal or informal?

The phrase "a mental record" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in descriptive or narrative writing.

What is the difference between "a mental record" and "a mental health record"?

"A mental record" refers to a personal act of remembering something, while "a mental health record" is an official document related to someone's psychological well-being.