make a mental note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make a mental note' is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to remember something, or whenever you want to suggest that someone else should remember something. For example: "Make a mental note to check the expiration date on the milk when you go to the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make a mental note.

The New York Times

Lee appeared to make a mental note.

The New Yorker

I make a mental note not to tailgate her.

The New York Times

I make a mental note to tweet this thought.

The New Yorker

I make a mental note for possible future casting.

The Guardian - Books

She does, however, make a Mental Note of it.

The New Yorker

The stadium scientist appeared to make a mental note.

The New Yorker

I make a mental note to avoid the kitchen area.

The Guardian

I make a mental note to find a picture.

Yale University

I make a mental note to concentrate on the middle distance instead.

The Guardian - Travel

Next time, make a mental note not to talk about yourself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a mental note" when you want to remember something for future action or consideration. It's suitable for both personal reminders and suggesting others remember something important.

Common error

Don't solely rely on making mental notes for critical information. For important tasks or details, always write them down to avoid forgetting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a mental note" functions as a directive or an expression of intent to remember something. Ludwig AI confirms it is a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a mental note" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the intention to remember something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news media, academic writing, and informal communication. While alternatives like "keep in mind" or "remember to" exist, the original phrase provides a clear and straightforward way to express the act of consciously committing something to memory. It's a good idea to write down very important things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep in mind

A more general way to suggest remembering something.

Bear in mind

Similar to 'keep in mind', but slightly more formal.

Remember to

A direct instruction to remember a specific action.

Take note of

Highlights the importance of paying attention to something.

Make a point to remember

Emphasizes the deliberate effort to remember.

Commit to memory

Focuses on the act of memorizing something.

Store away in memory

Suggests keeping something important in one's mind for later use.

Fix in one's mind

Implies firmly establishing something in one's memory.

Etch in one's mind

A more vivid way to say 'fix in one's mind', suggesting a lasting impression.

Take heed

A more formal and cautionary way of saying 'pay attention' and remember.

FAQs

How can I use "make a mental note" in a sentence?

You can use "make a mental note" to remind yourself or someone else to remember something important. For example, "I'll make a mental note to buy groceries after work."

What is a synonym for "make a mental note"?

Alternatives to "make a mental note" include "keep in mind", "bear in mind", or "remember to", depending on the context.

Is it better to "make a mental note" or write it down?

While making a mental note can be quick, it's generally more reliable to write things down, especially for important or complex tasks, to avoid forgetting them.

What does it mean to "make a mental note"?

To "make a mental note" means to consciously try to remember something for later. It's a way of acknowledging information and intending to recall it when needed.