in their diary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their diary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that someone has written or recorded in their personal diary or journal. Example: "She often reflects on her feelings and experiences in their diary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Ms. Marques logs every expense, from 85-cent coffee up, in their diary.

The New York Times

In their diary for that day they had written one word: "Depart".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nicky Holloway: I was offered the chance to do something at the Astoria, because they had a seven-week gap in their diary when someone cancelled.

The Guardian - Music

Yes/No L. Are there reasons why a parent and/or guardian might benefit from "listening in" on their teenager's conversations either online, in their diary, or on the phone?

The New York Times

And data would often be held not on a PC's hard disk, but on a server where it could be reached by, say, a mobile phone.Users would also no longer have to transfer data manually from a website to a software application if, for instance, they wanted to record the time of a flight they had booked in their diary.

The Economist

The majority of hooligans may have been out of sight - according to this series, in the late Eighties and Nineties they were either in prison or experimenting with ecstasy - but they hadn't forgotten about one major date in their diary: Euro 2000.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

They can dream and write in their diaries.

The New York Times - Books

BRITAIN's MPs go on holiday this week with their return-to-work dates in their diaries.

The Economist

Girls of that age often wrote similar things in their diaries.

Independent

The more voluble Everton fans have that Monday 19 January date ringed in their diaries already.

Independent

Puritans agonized in their diaries about their standing with the Almighty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their diary" to refer to personal reflections, daily recordings, or schedules that individuals keep for themselves. It is especially effective when highlighting personal experiences or private thoughts.

Common error

Avoid using "in their diary" when referring to official or public records. A diary is inherently personal, so using the phrase in contexts involving shared or official information can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their diary" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate where a piece of information, thought, or event is recorded. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

47%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in their diary" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that refers to something recorded in a personal diary or journal. As Ludwig AI accurately indicates, it is commonly found in both scientific and news contexts, denoting personal records and reflections. While versatile, it's best used when referring to private documentation and should be avoided in formal contexts where official records are being discussed. Alternatives such as "in their journal" or "recorded in their notebook" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. Overall, understanding the nuances of "in their diary" ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their journal

Replaces "diary" with "journal", a synonym with similar connotations.

in their personal log

Substitutes "diary" with "personal log", emphasizing a record of events.

recorded in their notebook

Focuses on the act of recording in a notebook, a more general term.

noted in their planner

Highlights the act of noting something down in a planner, suggesting scheduling.

written in their chronicle

Replaces "diary" with "chronicle", implying a more formal or historical record.

documented in their records

Shifts the focus to official documentation within their records.

entered in their schedule

Emphasizes the entry of information into a schedule or calendar.

marked on their calendar

Highlights the act of marking something on a calendar for future reference.

in their appointment book

Specifies the type of book where appointments are recorded.

in their daybook

Replaces "diary" with "daybook," which refers to a journal with daily entries.

FAQs

How can I use "in their diary" in a sentence?

You can use "in their diary" to indicate something that someone has written or recorded in their personal diary or journal. For example: "She often reflects on her feelings and experiences in their diary."

What can I say instead of "in their diary"?

You can use alternatives like "in their journal", "in their personal log", or "recorded in their notebook" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in their diary" in formal writing?

While "in their diary" is grammatically correct, it's generally more suited for informal or narrative writing. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "documented in their records" if referring to official records.

What's the difference between "in their diary" and "in their journal"?

The phrases "in their diary" and "in their journal" are largely interchangeable. Both refer to a personal record of experiences, thoughts, or events. However, "diary" might imply a more regular or daily entry, while "journal" can be used more broadly.