notes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "notes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a noun and can refer to written or printed information, a reminder, or a piece of music. For example: I wrote some notes in the margin of the book to remind me of important points.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

-ends- Notes to editors: About Guardian News & Media Guardian News & Media (GNM) publishes theguardian.com, the third largest English-speaking newspaper website in the world (comScore, January 2013).

The Guardian

The result was that IKB, the German bank in this deal, bought $150 million of notes in this C.D.O.

The Economist

In Iowa, the memo notes, the campaign has a "lead in vote-by-mail ballots cast, in-person early voting, total voting and total ballots requested".

The Guardian

Walker notes several new businesses opening up in town, and believes the worst has passed.

The Guardian

At his review appointment some months later, his specialist notes that he has inflamed joints and writes back to me to request a rheumatology opinion.

The Guardian

At the start of this year, he notes, both chambers of Congress passed budgets, and "had one side not decided to pursue a strategy of brinksmanship" they could have come together and figured it out.

The Guardian

Lyons notes that globalisation has helped reduce inequality between countries, but is "adding to inequality within countries, as highly skilled workers benefit from new markets, while low- and medium-skilled workers in the west compete with cheaper workers in emerging countries, or with immigrants at home".

The Guardian - Business

As Lyons notes: "Fiscal policy should not impose unnecessary strains on monetary policy".

The Guardian - Business

It notes that smallholder farm yields fall short of the estimated potential for most food crops (cereals and pulses).

The Guardian

The Paris-based thinktank notes the budget deficit has been "significantly reduced since the peak of 2009, but at a slower pace recently notably as growth has been insufficiently tax-rich".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notes" to refer to financial instruments, ensure clarity about the type of note (e.g., promissory note, bond note) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "notes" when you actually mean "notices". "Notes" refers to written information or musical sounds, while "notices" refers to announcements or warnings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "notes" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of written records, musical sounds, or financial instruments. As Ludwig AI shows, the term frequently appears in news and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notes" functions primarily as a plural noun, widely used across diverse contexts like news, business, and music. According to Ludwig AI, it generally follows standard grammar rules, indicating correct usage. Its versatility makes it a common term, but careful attention should be paid to context to avoid confusion with similar words like "notices". Remember to specify the type of "notes" when discussing financial instruments to ensure clarity. By considering these nuances, you can effectively and correctly incorporate the term into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annotations

Refers specifically to explanatory or critical comments added to a text.

jottings

Implies quick, informal written records or reminders.

memoranda

Formal, official records or communications, often within an organization.

briefing papers

Summaries of information intended to inform someone about a particular issue.

minutes

Official record of the proceedings of a meeting.

records

General term for any documented information.

observations

Focuses on what has been noticed or perceived and then documented.

transcriptions

Written or printed versions of something originally spoken.

commentary

A set of explanatory or critical notes on a text.

scratchings

Implies hastily written or drawn markings.

FAQs

How can I use "notes" in a sentence?

"Notes" can refer to various things, such as written reminders, musical sounds, or financial instruments. For example, "I took notes during the meeting", "The song began with a series of high notes", or "The company issued convertible notes".

What are some alternatives to the word "notes"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "annotations", "jottings", or "memoranda".

Is it correct to use "notes" as a singular noun?

No, "notes" is the plural form of "note". The singular form is used when referring to a single instance of a written reminder, musical sound, or financial instrument.

What is the difference between "notes" and "minutes"?

"Notes" are informal records of information, while "minutes" are the official record of the proceedings of a meeting.