establish a record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish a record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or documenting information for future reference or verification. Example: "The committee decided to establish a record of all the decisions made during the meeting for transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But the foursome is starting to establish a record.

The Economist

He is trying to establish a record by capturing one in a sixth decade.

The New York Times

"It takes a little bit more than that" to establish a record of good-faith bargaining, she said.

The New York Times

'Now, I have a chance to repeat it and establish a record I hadn't been aware of.

The Guardian - Sport

In recent years, they have used the procedure to establish a record on how their opponents stand on contested issues.

The New York Times

And if you are one of those who may have helped establish a record, there's comfort in that as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But talks have been hampered by disagreements over whether to establish a record-keeping system for non-commercial gun transactions.

The Washington Post

Keep track of the wines you obtain and establish a record-keeping method to document purchase details and when-to-drink dates.

Forbes

Ecuador, which defaulted on its debts in 2008, has used Chinese loans both to fill in holes in its budget and to re-establish a record of repayment in advance of trying to tap bond markets again.But Chinese credit has its attractions in other economies, too.

The Economist

As governor, Pence established a record of cutting taxes.

The Washington Post

Johnson also established a record as a committed environmentalist.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish a record", ensure the context clearly indicates what type of record is being created (e.g. "establish a record of on-time payments").

Common error

Avoid using "establish a record" when you mean to "break a record". The former refers to creating documentation or history, while the latter means surpassing an existing achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a record" functions as a verb phrase where "establish" is the verb indicating the action of creating or setting up, and "a record" is the noun phrase representing what is being created. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish a record" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the creation of a formal or official account for future reference or verification. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, the phrase serves the purpose of documenting events, achievements, or data. It's essential to differentiate "establish a record" from "break a record" to avoid confusion, and to specify the type of record being established for clarity. Related phrases include "create documentation" and "set a precedent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a precedent

Focuses on setting an example for future actions, differing from simply documenting information.

create documentation

Highlights the act of creating documents as opposed to setting a new standard.

compile evidence

Implies gathering proof for a specific purpose, unlike the general act of establishing a record.

build a reputation

Emphasizes the construction of a public image, which is different from simply creating a record.

formulate a history

Highlights the creation of a historical account versus general recording.

make history

Highlights historical significance as opposed to simply maintaining a reference.

lay the foundation

Focuses on groundwork and origins, shifting away from the idea of documenting.

demonstrate a history

Focuses on showing a past history, not creating one.

institute a system

Highlights putting a system in place. A record can exist without being a system.

break new ground

Emphasizes innovation and pioneering rather than maintaining records.

FAQs

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

You can use "establish a record" to describe the act of creating or documenting something for future reference. For instance, "The company needs to "establish a record" of all customer interactions".

What is a good alternative to "establish a record"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "create documentation", "compile evidence", or "set a precedent".

Is it correct to say "establishment a record" instead of "establish a record"?

No, "establishment a record" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""establish a record"", where "establish" is the verb.

What's the difference between "establish a record" and "maintain a record"?

"Establish a record" refers to the initial creation or documentation, while "maintain a record" implies keeping an existing record up-to-date.