jotting down

USAGE SUMMARY

"jotting down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe quickly and casually writing something down. For example, "I quickly jotted down my grocery list before leaving the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cardoz was jotting down menu categories.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But they had me jotting down new rhymes and calls.

The New York Times - Sports

I started by jotting down the words "writer's block".

The New Yorker

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

"Could be less, that's fine," he said, jotting down a six instead.

The New York Times

We like the Cyberman design and it's perfect for jotting down any ideas.

Independent

Laura noted that as Archie's presentation wore on, CEO Jason Walter was jotting down notes.

Harvard Business Review

The digital stylus included for jotting down notes has better pressure sensitivity and a finer tip.

The New York Times - Tech

SHE walked around with her clipboard and a map of the yard, jotting down notes.

The New York Times

By jotting down significant bits of information, the interviewer can readily reconstruct what actually took place.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jotting down" when you want to convey a sense of informality and speed in writing notes or ideas. It's suitable for describing actions like capturing fleeting thoughts or recording information quickly during a meeting.

Common error

Avoid using "jotting down" in formal reports or academic papers where a more precise term like "documenting", "recording", or "noting" would be more appropriate. The informality of "jotting down" might undermine the credibility of your writing in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jotting down" functions as a present participle of the phrasal verb "jot down". It typically describes an ongoing action of quickly writing something, often notes or ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jotting down" is a common and correct verb phrase used to describe the act of quickly writing something, typically notes or ideas. It is grammatically sound and mostly used in neutral to informal settings, such as news articles, academic contexts and general writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in English, making it a reliable choice for conveying a sense of immediacy and informality. When more formality is required, consider alternatives like "recording" or "documenting". Overall, "jotting down" serves as a versatile term that allows writers to effectively describe the simple act of writing brief notes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

writing down quickly

Emphasizes speed in the writing process.

scribbling notes

Suggests a less organized and more hurried form of writing.

taking quick notes

Highlights the act of note-taking with an emphasis on speed.

noting briefly

Focuses on the concise nature of the writing.

making a brief record

Implies a formal intent to document something quickly.

putting down on paper

Highlights the medium used for writing.

drafting hastily

Suggests an initial, quick version of a written piece.

listing rapidly

Implies creating a list in a fast manner.

recording summarily

Focuses on creating a summary through quick recording.

setting down in brief

Emphasizes the conciseness and the act of setting something down.

FAQs

How can I use "jotting down" in a sentence?

You can use "jotting down" to describe quickly writing notes, ideas, or information. For example, "She was "jotting down" ideas for her next novel" or "He started "jotting down" notes during the lecture".

What's a synonym for "jotting down"?

Alternatives to "jotting down" include "scribbling notes", "writing down quickly", or "taking quick notes". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "jotting down" appropriate for formal writing?

While "jotting down" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "recording", "documenting", or "noting".

What is the difference between "jotting down" and "writing down"?

"Jotting down" implies a quick and often informal act of writing, while "writing down" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily specify the speed or formality. You might use "writing down" in situations where the writing is more deliberate or detailed.