pen down

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "pen down" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to mean to write something on a surface, typically with a pen. For example: "Please pen down your thoughts on this paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We opted to put our pen down on that one".

The New York Times

When she put her pen down, there was not a copy left to sign.

The Economist

He'd put his pen down, stand up, and we'd have a chat".

The New Yorker

Then I put my pen down, switched on my computer and clicked on e-mail.

The New York Times - Travel

"I am going to be making that guess until Tommy forces me to put my pen down".

The New Yorker

I would write something, then put the pen down, forgetting that the pen would float off the table.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Put your pens down!

The Guardian - Books

"Pens down," said Douglas.

The New Yorker

I at last finished penning down my experience about the same in a document titled "Demystifiying the American Graduate Admissions Process".

Stanford University

Unfortunately, the evidence shows that the experiences of male and female writers after they set their pens down are often distinctively different.

The Guardian - Books

Reporters who record his daily musings become so numbed by the repeated phrases that they often put their pens down and stare longingly into their Starbucks cups.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pen down" when you want to emphasize the action of physically writing something, especially in contexts where writing is the primary means of recording information.

Common error

Avoid using "pen down" when the context involves digital note-taking or typing. The phrase is specific to the act of writing with a pen or similar instrument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pen down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of writing something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "pen down" is commonly used to describe the act of writing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts. It is most often found in news and media, as well as on wikis and academia. For more formal settings, alternatives like "record" or "document" might be more appropriate. When using "pen down", ensure it aligns with the context of physical writing, avoiding its use for digital note-taking. It’s important to consider the audience and desired tone when choosing between "pen down" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

write down

Focuses on the act of recording information, emphasizing the writing itself.

put on paper

Similar to "commit to paper", focusing on the physical act of writing.

jot down

Suggests a quick and informal way of noting something.

commit to paper

Emphasizes the act of transferring thoughts or ideas into a written form.

put in writing

Emphasizes the formal aspect of recording something officially.

take note of

Highlights the act of paying attention and remembering something.

record

A more general term for preserving information, not necessarily by writing.

transcribe

Implies a more formal and accurate recording, often from speech.

document

Highlights the creation of an official record or report.

inscribe

Suggests a more permanent or ceremonial form of writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "pen down" in a sentence to describe the act of writing something. For example: "The journalist had to "pen down" the details of the event quickly."

What's a more formal alternative to "pen down"?

A more formal alternative to "pen down" could be "record" or "document", which suggest a higher degree of formality and precision.

Is "pen down" appropriate for academic writing?

While "pen down" is acceptable, in academic writing, consider using more precise terms like "write down" or "take note of" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "pen down" and "write down"?

"Pen down" specifically implies the act of physically writing with a pen, whereas "write down" is a more general term that can include any form of writing, including typing.