note for posterity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "note for posterity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a record or message intended to be preserved for future generations. Example: "I wrote a note for posterity, detailing the events of that historic day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Men have lived and died waiting for a British man to win Wimbledon, so let us note for posterity how it finally came about: a forehand from Murray deep into Novak Djokovic's backhand corner, a weary reply into the Centre Court net.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They so clearly want this noted for posterity, it seems only good manners to ask.

The Guardian

In truth, Spain probably didn't have much of a shot, considering how dominant Team USA could be when it tried – and it should be noted for posterity that sometimes they didn't.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a play he would have been proud of himself, and he made a note of it for posterity.

The New York Times - Arts

If you're sharing your observing session with other amateur astronomers, you may want to include their names and notes on their equipment for posterity.

WikiHow

By Wolcott Gibbs The New Yorker, November 16, 1940 P. 11 Note for the Confusion of Posterity: On November 2nd, 1940, for the first time in our life, we met a five-year-old boy who had never seen an icepick.

The New Yorker

The ancients who built Stonehenge also failed to leave blueprints, liner notes or roadside historical markers for posterity.

The New York Times

I won't go into that too much, since you wrote that great piece comparing him and Hannah (and that's all available for posterity), except to note that the sexist double standard at play with those unlikeable protagonists is only compounded by Dunham's public standing as a celebrity.

Huffington Post

Pearson noted, first for himself and then for posterity, that J. Edgar Hoover and the newest husband of Marjorie Merriweather Post were "in the same category" as Walter Jenkins, the aide to Lyndon Johnson who was arrested in a Y.M.C.A. men's room during the 1964 campaign.

The New Yorker

(There is a "Fez notes" Tumblr, where players upload their scribbles for posterity).

The New York Times - Arts

The sadly not-preserved-for-posterity pilot.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "note for posterity" when you want to emphasize that something is being recorded or documented with the intention that it will be remembered or considered by people in the future. It adds a sense of importance and timelessness to the action.

Common error

Avoid using "note for posterity" in everyday conversations or casual writing. This phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to convey a sense of historical significance or long-term impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "note for posterity" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the act of recording or documenting something with the explicit intention of preserving it for future generations. It conveys a sense of importance and lasting significance, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "note for posterity" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily functioning to emphasize the importance of recording something for future generations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it conveys a sense of significance and timelessness and is best used in contexts that warrant such emphasis. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, most frequently in news and media. When aiming for more casual communication, consider alternative expressions such as "record for future generations" for a less formal approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Record for future generations

Emphasizes the act of recording something with the intention of it being available to future generations.

Document for the historical record

Highlights the creation of a formal record intended for historical purposes.

Preserve for the annals of time

Focuses on the act of preserving something so it can be remembered throughout history, often used in a more poetic or formal context.

Save for the benefit of history

Highlights the intention to save something so that it can serve future historical understanding.

Keep for future reference

Suggests maintaining something for later use or consultation, often in a more practical or less grand sense.

Memorialize for the ages

Focuses on creating a lasting memorial to ensure remembrance.

Chronicle for future understanding

Suggests recording events in chronological order to provide future insight.

Capture for historical purposes

Emphasizes the act of capturing information or events with a specific historical goal.

Retain for the sake of remembrance

Highlights the act of retaining something specifically to ensure it is remembered.

Ensure its legacy

Focuses on making sure something leaves a lasting impact or memory.

FAQs

How can I use "note for posterity" in a sentence?

You can use "note for posterity" to emphasize the importance of recording something for future generations. For example: "Let us "note for posterity" how this discovery changed our understanding of the universe."

What's a simpler way to say "note for posterity"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, you could say "record for future generations" or "save for the future". These options convey a similar meaning without the same level of formality.

Is "note for posterity" only used in historical contexts?

While often used in historical contexts, "note for posterity" can also be used in any situation where you want to highlight the long-term importance of documenting something. It's about creating a record for future consideration, whether it's a personal observation or a significant event.

What is the difference between "record for posterity" and "note for posterity"?

"Record for posterity" emphasizes the act of creating an official or permanent record. "Note for posterity" suggests simply making a note or observation with the intention that it be remembered or considered in the future, which can be less formal.