mark my words

USAGE SUMMARY

"mark my words" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize something important that you want the reader or listener to remember or pay attention to. To provide an example sentence: Mark my words, the final exams will be much harder than the midterms.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mark my words, Bob.

The New Yorker

"Mark my words".

The New York Times

"Mark my words," he adds.

The New York Times - Books

"He said, 'Mark my words.

The New Yorker

"Mark my words," she added.

The New York Times

"Mark my words," Mr. Cruz said.

The New York Times

"Mark my words: Qaddafi is coming down".

The New York Times

"Mark my words," Mr. Holt shot back.

The New York Times

"Mark my words," Dilfer said.

The New York Times - Sports

(Dungarees, also. Mark my words).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"One day, mark my words".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mark my words" to add emphasis or a sense of forewarning to a statement, particularly when predicting a future outcome. It can create a more dramatic or impactful effect in your writing or speech.

Common error

While "mark my words" can be effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Use it sparingly to maintain its emphasis and avoid sounding repetitive or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark my words" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize a statement, prediction, or warning. It's intended to make the listener or reader pay close attention and remember what is being said. The examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts to add weight to the speaker's assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mark my words" is a very common idiomatic expression used to emphasize a statement or prediction, typically to ensure that the listener or reader remembers it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various authoritative sources, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral, it can lean toward formality depending on the context. When using this phrase, be sure not to overuse it, as this can diminish its impact. Consider similar phrases such as "take my word for it" or "you'll see" as alternatives for variety and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remember my words

Similar to the original phrase, but places a greater emphasis on remembering the statement.

take my word for it

Emphasizes the speaker's credibility and asks the listener to trust their statement.

you can be sure of it

Highlights the level of confidence and assurance in the statement.

I guarantee it

Adds a strong element of personal assurance to the prediction.

bet on it

Implies a high degree of certainty, often with a playful or challenging tone.

you'll see

Suggests that the listener will soon witness the truth of the statement.

take heed of what I say

Encourages the listener to pay close attention to the speaker's warning or prediction.

bear in mind what I'm saying

Emphasizes the importance of remembering the speaker's current statement for future reference.

keep my prediction in mind

Directly references the statement as a prediction that should be remembered.

remember this

A shorter, more direct way of telling someone to remember something important.

FAQs

How can I use "mark my words" in a sentence?

You can use "mark my words" to strongly emphasize a prediction or a warning, such as "Mark my words, this new policy will lead to significant changes".

What's a less formal way to say "mark my words"?

Alternatives like "you'll see" or "bet on it" offer a more casual tone while still conveying a strong sense of certainty.

Is it appropriate to use "mark my words" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "mark my words" may be too assertive for some formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "you can be sure of it" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "mark my words" and "take my word for it"?

"Mark my words" emphasizes a future outcome, while "take my word for it" focuses on the speaker's current credibility or knowledge. The first predicts; the second assures.