jot down notes

USAGE SUMMARY

"jot down notes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to take a quick note or reminder. Example sentence: "Before the meeting, jot down any questions or topics you want to raise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Now, I jot down notes on what I need to do on Monday.

The New York Times

As students view the images and text, they should jot down notes.

The New York Times

At some point in my travels I began to jot down notes.

The Guardian - Travel

You can take photos using the phone's camera and jot down notes, which comes in handy if you park in a massive airport garage.

The New York Times

MANY of us use our phones to jot down notes, whether we're in a class, at an interview or trying to remember a shopping list.

The New York Times - Tech

I bought "The Tour Diary," by Allison Cole ($9, marked down from $14), a beautiful travel journal in which Sasha may one day jot down notes and travel observations of her own.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He jotted down notes.

The New York Times - Sports

They said little and jotted down notes.

The New York Times - Sports

She jotted down notes: Who are they?

The New York Times - Magazine

Sometimes Fullard sat with them, jotting down notes.

The Guardian

Suddenly, the whole story popped into my head, and I began frantically jotting down notes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jot down notes" when you need to quickly record key information during a meeting, lecture, or observation to ensure you don't forget important details.

Common error

Avoid using "jot down notes" in contexts where detailed and precise records are required. Opt for more formal terms like "record", "document", or "transcribe" when accuracy is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jot down notes" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of quickly writing something. As Ludwig AI explains, this expression is correct and usable in written English. It serves as an instruction or description of a quick, informal note-taking process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

28%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jot down notes" is a common and acceptable verb phrase used to describe the act of quickly writing notes, often in an informal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, media and wiki contexts, this phrase is ideal for conveying rapid note-taking during meetings, lectures, or observations. While grammatically sound, it's best to reserve this phrase for casual communication and use more formal alternatives like "record notes" or "document information" in professional settings. Key alternatives include "take notes quickly" and "scribble notes", which emphasize the speed and informality of the note-taking process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take notes quickly

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of note-taking.

write down quickly

Emphasizes the act of writing in a brief manner.

scribble notes

Suggests a less formal, hurried way of writing notes.

make a quick note

Highlights the brevity and informality of the note.

note briefly

Stresses the concise nature of the note.

record briefly

Implies a more formal or official method of note-taking than "jot down".

document briefly

Indicates a more detailed and structured form of recording than "jot down".

take shorthand

Refers to a specific method of rapid note-taking, implying skill and speed.

mark down quickly

Suggests writing down something rapidly, with an emphasis on marking or highlighting the information.

dash off a note

Implies a very quick and informal act of writing a note.

FAQs

What does "jot down notes" mean?

"Jot down notes" means to write something quickly and informally, often to remember it later. It suggests a brief and spontaneous act of note-taking.

How to use "jot down notes" in a sentence?

You can say, "During the meeting, I had to "jot down notes" about the project requirements" or "The professor advised us to "jot down notes" during the lecture".

What can I say instead of "jot down notes"?

You can use alternatives like "take notes quickly", "scribble notes", or "make a quick note" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "jot down notes" in formal writing?

While "jot down notes" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives such as "record notes" or "document information".