in his notepad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in his notepad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that someone has written or noted down in their notepad. Example: "He jotted down the meeting notes in his notepad for future reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Williams scribbled in his notepad.

The New York Times - Magazine

Barter jotted in his notepad.

The New Yorker

The eleven-year-old wrote the word "concussion" in his notepad and underlined it.

The New Yorker

("Effeminate men are very witty," he wrote in his notepad at the time, "whereas macho men are duller than death").

The New York Times - Books

I don't know what was worse, the concussion or being deprived of sleep". The eleven-year-old wrote the word "concussion" in his notepad and underlined it.

The New Yorker

But, undaunted, he scribbled his phone number on the backs of blank envelopes he happened to have in his notepad, handing them out to people with quizzical looks on their faces.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Without even knowing what story he wanted to tell, he began hanging out in Borough Park, bringing his notepad to the streets, stores and synagogues of this bustling neighborhood, often wearing a large black yarmulke to blend in.

Los Angeles Times

"If we're losing, he'll pull out his notepad in the huddle.

The New York Times

Rose will sometimes lift his notepad in front of his face and bark an expletive into it.

The New York Times - Sports

It begins to sound like a game of Clue: what was Colonel Mustard doing with his notepad in the pantry at Lamb House?

The New York Times - Books

"As well as the stereotype of the old man in a raincoat with his notepad, there's another one, of a kid who has a train set, dresses up in the appropriate uniform and makes all the noises while playing with his model.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in his notepad" to clearly indicate that someone is making notes or writing something down in a physical notepad, especially when the medium is relevant to the context. For instance, if you wish to highlight the antiquated nature of using pen and paper versus a digital device.

Common error

Avoid using "in his notepad" when the context clearly indicates a digital note-taking app. For example, saying "He typed the password in his notepad" when he's using a computer is inaccurate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in his notepad" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the location or manner in which an action (like writing or scribbling) is performed. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in his notepad" is a grammatically sound and contextually descriptive phrase used to indicate the location where someone is writing or noting information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is accurate and suitable for general use. While not exceptionally common, the phrase appears mainly in news and media contexts, highlighting its descriptive utility in reporting and storytelling. When using the phrase, ensure that "notepad" accurately represents the physical medium of note-taking, avoiding its application to digital contexts where a "notes app" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in his notebook

Replaces "notepad" with a more general term for a book of paper for writing.

on his notepad

Uses the preposition "on" instead of "in", slightly altering the spatial relationship.

in her notepad

Changes the possessive pronoun to indicate a female subject.

in his notes

A more concise way of expressing that someone is writing in his personal notes.

in his diary

Substitutes "notepad" with "diary", suggesting a more personal and reflective record.

in his journal

Similar to diary, implying a more detailed and regular record of events or thoughts.

in his memo pad

Specifies the notepad as a memo pad, usually for shorter notes.

in his sketchbook

Replaces "notepad" with "sketchbook", indicating a book for drawings or sketches.

in his field notes

Suggests notes taken during fieldwork or observations.

in his record book

Suggests a book used to record specific information systematically.

FAQs

What does "in his notepad" mean?

The phrase "in his notepad" refers to someone writing something down in a physical notepad or notebook. It implies the use of pen and paper for note-taking.

Can I use "in his notebook" instead of "in his notepad"?

Yes, "in his notebook" is a suitable alternative and can often be used interchangeably. "Notebook" is a more general term, while "notepad" can refer to a smaller, often disposable, notebook.

What are some other ways to say "in his notepad"?

Other options include "on his notepad", ""in his journal"" (if it's a more reflective record), or simply "in his notes".

Is it correct to say "in his notes app"?

If you're referring to a digital application, it's more accurate to say "in his notes app" or "in his notes application" rather than "in his notepad", which implies a physical notebook.