take a note

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a note" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to tell someone to remember or record a piece of information. For example, "Take a note to call Sarah tomorrow at 11am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"As tap dancers, we have to take a note from that.

The New York Times

"I can't remember, I didn't take a note of what he said".

The Guardian

Write a note of encouragement for someone and take a note for yourself!

Cornell University

Lewis might also take a note of warning from the Yankees' first-round playoff exit last week.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was always writing notes, or asking me to take a note down, so he wouldn't forget a lyric".

The Guardian - Music

Making contacts Some companies will ask you to fill in forms or take a note of your contact details.

The Guardian

"Sometimes you read old biographies where you scarcely take a note," Mr. Caro told Vanity Fair in 2005.

The New York Times

"Take a note of each university's Clearing phone numbers and opening hours," says Helen Thurstan, recruitment manager at Staffordshire University.

The Guardian

Alas, it just took too much time and effort to get the device out and take a note.

MIT Technology Review

He tells his minion, Sciarrone, to take a note to Tosca asking her to come see him.

Britannica

Be honest about your mistakes, take a note of what works and what doesn't, then keep trying.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "take a note", be specific about what information needs to be recorded to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid passively hearing information and assuming you'll remember it. Actively "take a note" to ensure you retain crucial details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a note" functions as an imperative, used to directly instruct someone to record information. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used in various contexts, such as in news articles, wikihow guides and academic articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a note" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to instruct someone to record information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its function is primarily imperative, serving the purpose of aiding memory and ensuring future reference. While generally neutral in register, its usage spans across diverse fields such as news, academia, and general knowledge. Consider using alternatives such as "make a note" or "jot down" depending on the context. Remember to be specific when instructing someone to "take a note" to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a note

Replaces "take" with "make", emphasizing the creation of the note.

jot down

Implies a quick and informal recording of information.

write down

A more literal and direct way of saying to record something in writing.

record

Focuses on the act of preserving information for later use.

document

Suggests a more formal and thorough method of recording information.

bear in mind

Shifts the focus from physically writing something down to mentally remembering it.

keep in mind

Similar to "bear in mind", emphasizing mental retention.

remember this

A direct imperative to not forget something important.

be aware of

Highlights the importance of being conscious of specific information.

pay attention to

Encourages careful observation and consideration of something.

FAQs

How can I use "take a note" in a sentence?

You can use "take a note" to instruct someone to record information, such as: "Please "take a note" of the meeting time" or "Take a note of all the expenses".

What's a more formal way to say "take a note"?

In a formal setting, you might prefer to use phrases like "make a record of" or "document" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

What can I say instead of "take a note" in a casual context?

In a casual setting, you could use phrases like "jot down" or "write down" as more relaxed alternatives to ""take a note"".

Is "take a note" the same as "make a note"?

While very similar, ""take a note"" and "make a note" are almost interchangeable. "Make a note" slightly emphasizes the creation of the note, while ""take a note"" can imply simply noting something down.