jot something down

USAGE SUMMARY

"jot something down" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express the act of quickly writing something. Example: "I need to jot down the meeting notes before I forget." Alternative expressions include "write something down," "note something," and "record something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I'll jot something down and it will occur to me that it's connected to something else.

The New York Times

For example, if you jot something down in the Notes app on an iPhone or iPad, that same note will appear in the Notes app in Mountain Lion on a Mac.

The New York Times

"As an introvert, I take a little time to myself, go to the powder room, jot something down in my notebook or take a walk outside".

The New York Times

Be prepared to jot something down.

WikiHow

Now, if you choose to do yours on the computer, open up Microsoft Word every time you need to jot something down.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For his part, Mr. Cheney sits and smiles beatifically, occasionally jotting something down on a pad of paper.

The New York Times

One carried a yellow pad and, after peering closely at the meter, jotted something down on it.

The New Yorker

For example, if a user jots something down in the Notes app on an iPhone or iPad, that same note will appear in the Notes app in Mountain Lion on a Mac.

The New York Times - Tech

Not everybody can go home with a medal, but as the games draw to a close, here's a roundup of the most decorated contenders … Bronze medal Al Trautwig, who speculated that Dutch gymnast Sanne Wevers might be writing a "dear diary" entry when she was seen jotting something down after completing her routine – she was in fact working out her scores.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you have a bunch of apps installed on your iPhone, it can be challenging to locate the right one when it comes time to jotting something down in a hurry – like adding an item to a grocery list, making a note about something a friend said, or shooting off a quick question via email, for example.

TechCrunch

Imagine if you were sitting at the computer, checking your e-mail, looking at a website, jotting something down on a pad of paper, and drinking a soda.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jot something down" when you want to emphasize the quick and informal nature of writing something, like a reminder or a quick thought.

Common error

Avoid using "jot something down" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Instead, use more formal alternatives like "record", "document", or "note".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jot something down" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, requiring an object (the "something" to be jotted). It indicates the action of writing something in a quick or informal manner. Ludwig AI validates this use, showcasing instances where it captures fleeting ideas or reminders.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jot something down" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of quickly writing something. Ludwig AI shows that it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts, with frequent usage in Wiki sources as well. While acceptable, it's important to remember it has an informal to neutral tone, making it less suitable for formal writing. When in doubt, consider "write something down" or "note something", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

write something down

This alternative is a more general and direct way of saying to write something.

note something

This alternative is a shorter way of saying to take note of something.

make a note of something

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating a record.

record something

This alternative suggest saving information.

take something down

This alternative is less common, but means to write something down.

mark something down

This alternative is a similar expression to "jot something down", with a subtle different meaning.

scribble something down

This alternative implies a quick and informal way of writing.

dash something off

This alternative has more informal tone compared to "jot something down".

put something in writing

This alternative refers to create some formal notes.

set something down on paper

This alternative is more emphatic and can sound literary.

FAQs

What does "jot something down" mean?

The phrase "jot something down" means to write something quickly and informally, often as a reminder or to capture a fleeting thought.

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

You can use alternatives like "write something down", "make a note of", or "scribble something down" depending on the context.

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

No, "jot something down" is generally too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using "record something" or "note something" instead.

How do I use "jot something down" in a sentence?

You can use "jot something down" when you want to express the act of writing something quickly. For example, "I need to jot something down before I forget it".