she took note of

USAGE SUMMARY

"she took note of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone is paying attention to or observing something important. Example: "She took note of the changes in his behavior." Alternative expressions include "she noticed" and "she observed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Outside, she took note of the chirping of birds and the faraway pop of shotguns.

The New Yorker

She took note of his six-foot athletic frame, but what most intrigued her was the weight of his words.

The New York Times

She took note of George's unusual drawing skills and arranged for him to have art and music lessons outside school.

The New Yorker

When he met Linda Buffa in Bay Ridge in 1993, she took note of his Boston accent.

The New York Times

And she took note of Tibet, saying that Tibetans had a right to practice their religion without persecution.

The New York Times

But she took note of the distress those policies were causing elsewhere and called for central banks to step up their dialogue and cooperation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She takes note of building permit numbers on scaffolding walls and then researches the plans on city Web sites.

The New York Times

Dame Laura Davies said she would "snap their hands off" if offered a member's card, but I hope she takes note of the Groucho Marx example instead.

Independent

While Lucious is taking Hakeem's older girlfriend, Camilla, played by Naomi Campbell, on a tour of the house, she takes note of the art on the walls.

Vice

She first took note of color and class when she realized she was one of the few black students who attended her private pre-K and elementary school.

Vice

She first took note of colour and class when she realised she was one of the few black students who attended her private pre-K and elementary school.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with specific sensory details or behavioral changes to enhance descriptive narrative writing.

Common error

Do not confuse ""she took note of"" with "she took a note". The former is an idiom meaning to observe or pay attention, while the latter usually refers to the physical act of writing down a message. Use the idiomatic version for mental registration and the literal version for handwriting.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a transitive verb construction using a light verb ("took") and a noun complement ("note") to create a single idiomatic meaning. In Ludwig, it is categorized as a correct and sophisticated way to denote mental registration. The addition of the preposition "of" allows it to take a direct object, linking the subject's awareness to a specific external detail.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""she took note of"" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote active observation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across high-authority platforms, particularly within the News & Media sector. Unlike simpler verbs like "noticed", this construction implies a higher degree of mental engagement and diligence. Whether used in a journalistic report to describe a politician's attention to a specific issue or in a narrative to show a character's alertness, it serves as a precise tool for writers. It is most effective when the observation leads to a logical consequence or further investigation, marking it as a deliberate act of cognitive processing rather than a fleeting glance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she noticed

Uses a more direct and common verb for general perception

she observed

Conveys a slightly more formal or analytical tone of watching

she paid attention to

Emphasizes the focus and concentration directed toward the object

she made a note of

Suggests a more deliberate act, potentially involving a physical record

she remarked on

Implies that the observation was followed by a comment or verbalization

she was mindful of

Suggests a continuous state of awareness rather than a single moment of noticing

she perceived

Focuses on the sensory or intuitive detection of something

she identified

Implies a more specific classification or recognition of a detail

she recognized

Suggests the subject already had some familiarity with what was seen

she took heed of

Adds a layer of caution or taking a warning from the observation

FAQs

How do I use "she took note of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a character or subject noticing a specific detail, for example: "As she entered the room, "she took note of" the unusual silence."

What is a more formal way to say "she took note of"?

A more formal alternative is "she observed" or "she remarked upon".

What is the difference between "she took note of" and "she noticed"?

While "she noticed" is a general term for perception, ""she took note of"" implies a more active, deliberate form of attention where the information is mentally filed for later use.

Can I use "she took note of" in professional writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in professional and journalistic contexts. Ludwig examples show it appearing frequently in The New York Times and The New Yorker to describe diligent observation.