checked my diary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checked my diary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of looking at your diary to review appointments, notes, or events. Example: "I checked my diary to see if I was free for lunch next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I went back and I checked my diary.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Checking my diary and appointments, catching up with emails and prioritising tasks is my usual starting point, along with a strong coffee.

The Guardian

Before leaving work I like to check my diary and plan ahead as much as possible, as I am often out of the office for a few days at a time, so may need specific documents.

The Guardian

I had planned to spend my "sitting" time writing future menus in my head, checking my diary or making "to do" lists during the rest periods, but I soon realised that I was wishing to work as hard, and as intensely, as he was.

The Guardian

If you have trouble saying "no" start by saying "I'll have to think about that", "I'll have to check my diary" or "I'll get back to you".

WikiHow

I check my emails and my diary to organise my day.

The Guardian

"The Iced-Coffee Diaries" "Never Checking My Voice Mail (and Other Bad Habits)" "Is This What Being an Adult Is Like?" "That Time I Had Sex with a Barista and Other Stories That Probably Didn't Need to Be Shared" "Cereal for Dinner: Life as a Twentysomething Who's Poor, but Not Poor Poor" "Responsibilities?

The New Yorker

(A diary that talks about finding rotting rib leftovers in his hotel room with a personal note from Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner. If you haven't checked out this diary yet, then I highly suggest you do so soon).

Huffington Post

A third researcher checked all the diary data.

British Medical Journal

At 8, 18, and 43 mo and 10 y of age, a nutrition fieldworker checked through the diary with the parent to add additional details as necessary.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

The patients' adherence with the treatment, compliance with their phosphorus binder, and phosphorus-restricted diet throughout the study, including the follow-up period, were checked weekly by diary entries made by the patients.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "checked my diary", ensure it's clear why you are checking it. Add context, like "to confirm the time" or "to reschedule an appointment", for clarity.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "My diary was checked" when you mean "I checked my diary". Active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checked my diary" functions as a statement of action, indicating the act of reviewing one's personal record of appointments, events, or notes. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used in news, blogs and personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "checked my diary" is a common and correct way to express that you consulted your personal calendar or record. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts, ranging from informal to professional. While grammatically straightforward, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "reviewed my schedule" or "consulted my planner" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to consider the specific context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a look at my schedule

More conversational way to express checking one's schedule, adding a softer tone.

reviewed my calendar

Uses "calendar" instead of "diary", focusing on date-specific appointments and events.

referred to my planner

Replaces "diary" with "planner", a physical or digital tool for organizing tasks and appointments.

consulted my schedule

Replaces "diary" with the more formal "schedule", implying a broader overview of planned activities.

looked at my agenda

Substitutes "diary" with "agenda", suggesting a list of items to be addressed or accomplished.

went over my engagements

Emphasizes the commitments and appointments listed in the diary.

verified my appointments

Focuses on confirming the scheduled appointments rather than just checking the diary.

scanned my daybook

Uses "daybook", a less common term for a diary or appointment book.

assessed my timetable

Replaces "diary" with "timetable", suggesting a fixed schedule of events.

cross-referenced my schedule

Implies comparing the diary with another source to ensure accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "checked my diary" in a sentence?

You can use "checked my diary" to indicate you looked at your diary for information. For example, "I "checked my diary" to see when the meeting was scheduled."

What's a more formal alternative to "checked my diary"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "consulted my schedule" or "reviewed my calendar". These alternatives sound more professional in certain contexts.

Is it better to say "checked my diary" or "checked my calendar"?

Both "checked my diary" and "checked my calendar" are correct, but "calendar" specifically refers to date-related events, while "diary" can encompass broader notes and information. Choose the term that best fits the context.

What can I say instead of "I'll check my diary" when declining an invitation?

If you need to decline an invitation, you could say "I'll need to "consult my schedule"" or "Let me "review my availability" first" to sound polite and professional.