for your records

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for your records" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to request that someone keep a record of something. For example, you can say: "Please keep this receipt for your records."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please save for your records.

Cornell University

"I go ham for your records".

The New Yorker

Keep the canary-colored carbon copy for your records.

The New York Times

(The phrase, for your records, is "work independently").

The New York Times - Magazine

For your records, outgoing home secretary Theresa May is now the social justice candidate.

The Guardian - Opinion

We do not feel we should be held responsible for your records breaking.

The New Yorker

Well, thank you very much, and here's a clean copy for your records.' " Mr. Mizrahi beamed.

The New York Times

Please retain a copy for your records.

Duke University

Make a copy or scan for your records.

University of Chicago

Print a copy of the decision letter for your records.

Duke University

Keep a copy of the enrollment form for your records.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing important documents, explicitly state "for your records" to ensure the recipient understands they should retain the information for future use.

Common error

Don't assume the recipient knows to save the information. While "for your records" is generally understood, failing to explicitly mention this may lead to important documents being discarded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for your records" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb (often implied, such as "keep" or "save"). Ludwig examples highlight its usage across diverse contexts to encourage retention of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

Academia

22%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for your records" is a common and generally correct way to indicate that information should be kept for future reference. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread use across academia, news, and general documentation. While the phrase maintains a neutral tone, leaning towards the informal, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives, such as "retain for documentation", in professional settings. Remember to make the statement explicitly to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for future reference

Simply suggests storing information for the future.

for your reference

Suggests keeping the information available for future consultation or review.

retain for your records

A more formal way of saying "for your records", suitable for professional contexts.

for your documentation

Emphasizes the act of documenting something, making it suitable for official or detailed records.

save for future reference

Emphasizes the forward-looking aspect of keeping the information.

store for your records

Indicates the action of storing the data for later use.

for your files

Highlights the importance of saving the information within a filing system, whether physical or digital.

to keep on file

Focuses on the act of maintaining the information within a collection of documents.

keep a copy

Directly instructs the recipient to make and retain a duplicate of the information.

for your archives

Suggests long-term preservation of the information, often implying historical significance.

FAQs

How can I use "for your records" in a sentence?

You can use "for your records" when providing documentation or information that you want the recipient to keep for future reference. For example, "Please keep this receipt "for your records"".

What's a more formal alternative to "for your records"?

A more formal alternative is "retain "for your documentation"" or "retain "for your files"". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "for your records" appropriate in all contexts?

While generally acceptable, "for your records" might be too informal for highly formal or legal contexts. Consider using more precise language like "retain for official documentation" in such cases.

What does "for your records" imply?

"For your records" implies that the recipient should keep the information in a safe place and be able to reference it later. It's a common phrase used to encourage documentation.