taking careful note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking careful note" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone is paying close attention to details or information. Example: "During the meeting, she was taking careful note of all the key points discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Investors have been taking careful note of the growing headwinds facing the industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

After that, I would find myself taking careful note, whenever I visited a new friend, of just how many phones his parents owned, what color they were, which style.

The New York Times - Arts

When Dutch patrols the beach at Lowell Park, "Edmund" is in the water, or is sitting on the sand, taking careful note of the lifeguard's reading matter ("A Princess of Mars," by Edgar Rice Burroughs)....And so on..

The New Yorker

Standing in a circle, kids tried to pass the ball to one another, over the head of the kid in the middle, while the counselors gave constant feedback — praising focus and sportsmanship and taking careful note of any misbehavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

But then, by Wexford standards this was an atypically established piece if not downright popular: virtually the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber (who is, incidentally, committed to the festival and was there, as always, this year in the front row of the balcony, taking careful note).

The New York Times - Arts

As well as taking blood pressure, checking hearts and asking all sorts of questions about your job and your lifestyle, this doctor is also taking careful note of the state of your home, assessing anything which could be affecting the health of you and your family.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She began taking careful notes about what she and her colleagues were hearing.

The New Yorker

"I think Cisco, Microsoft and Google are probably taking careful notes," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.

The Washington Post

Each class, one student will be the designated "scribe", taking careful notes during class, writing them up, and sending them to me for posting on the web.

Princeton University

One student taking careful notes recorded such back-and-forth exchanges as this one, which began with a question from Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

It is better to spend a day with a handful of papers, taking careful notes and reflecting on each, than it is to devour paper after paper in succession.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking careful note" when you want to emphasize the act of recording detailed information during an observation or process.

Common error

Avoid using "taking careful note" passively. Instead of saying "Careful note was being taken", use the active voice: "The researcher was "taking careful note"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking careful note" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a verbal noun. It describes the action of paying close attention and recording information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking careful note" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of paying close attention and recording details. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider "paying close attention" or "observing attentively". When using the phrase, it's best to employ the active voice to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paying close attention

Focuses on the act of attending closely rather than the recording aspect.

observing attentively

Highlights the act of watching with focus and detail.

monitoring closely

Implies a continuous observation, often for changes or issues.

keeping a close watch

Suggests a vigilant observation, often with an element of protection or control.

scrutinizing carefully

Indicates a detailed and critical examination.

giving careful consideration

Emphasizes thoughtful attention and deliberation.

making detailed observations

Highlights the act of gathering specific and thorough data.

taking meticulous notes

Focuses on the precision and thoroughness of the note-taking process.

remaining vigilant

Suggests a state of alertness and readiness to notice anything important.

mindful observation

Stresses the awareness and attentiveness of the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "taking careful note" in a sentence?

You can use "taking careful note" to describe someone paying close attention and recording details, for example: "The scientist was "taking careful note" of the experiment's progress".

What are some alternatives to "taking careful note"?

Alternatives include "paying close attention", "observing attentively", or "monitoring closely", depending on the context.

Is "taking careful note" formal or informal?

"Taking careful note" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "making detailed observations" may be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "taking careful note" and "taking careful notes"?

"Taking careful note" refers to the general act of paying close attention, while "taking careful notes" refers specifically to the act of writing down detailed records. The first is more about the action of noting in your head, while the second is a tangible output.