tally mark

USAGE SUMMARY

"Tally mark" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a symbol or mark used to keep track of a count or score. Example: The teacher asked the students to use tally marks to record the number of books they had read throughout the school year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is, he says after checking his most recent tally mark, his 17,546th consecutive day of running.

Independent

But more than paranoia about Maya's classmates' opportunities, I felt like I was depriving her of the chance to peek into my world and maybe even add a tally mark to the column of career influences.

Science Magazine

I was not going to be a tally mark for that statistic.

Vice

With the release of "The Conjuring," Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga add a tally mark to their respective checklists of horror films.

Huffington Post

Every time a bird sings a correct terminating flourish to their call most often transcribed as susk-e-wiet a tally mark in chalk isusk-e-wiet aong wooden susk-e-wiet a

Wikipedia

Tally mark all the losses until another win.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Midway down the sheet, stamped "Medical Center," are rows of embroidered tally marks representing the number of days Ms. Green, 50, has been a widow.

The New York Times

White tally marks where the catch has missed, Where the man opened, closed, and opened Seeing his face, her face, over and over, for the first time.

The Guardian

Instead of learning only the traditional borrowing and carrying, students think up their own ways to solve problems, perhaps using blocks, tally marks or their fingers.

The New York Times

His 18-point tally marks him out as a key member of the Europe team, and one to whom others look to for guidance.

The Guardian - Sport

The analytics features of the iPad Register app mean that stores and cafes are no longer condemned to using tally marks on a legal pad as their inventory and sales-tracking system.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tally mark", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a method of counting or recording quantities, especially in informal settings or when tracking progress.

Common error

Avoid using "tally mark" when referring to check marks or other symbols that indicate completion or verification rather than a running count. Use more precise language if the context could cause ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tally mark" functions primarily as a noun, often used as a countable noun. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to a symbol used to keep track of a count or score. It is frequently used to describe a method of recording numerical data.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tally mark" is a grammatically correct noun phrase, commonly used to describe a method of counting or recording data through visual marks. Ludwig AI validates its widespread acceptance in written English. While not overly formal, it appears across various contexts, including news, educational materials, and scientific documents. For alternatives, consider phrases such as ""hash mark"" or ""counting symbol"", depending on the desired level of formality and context. Be mindful to differentiate it from similar-looking symbols like "check mark", ensuring accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hash mark

Uses a more specific term for the type of mark used in counting.

tick mark

Uses another term for a counting mark.

mark for counting

Highlights the mark's purpose for numerical tracking.

counting symbol

Emphasizes its symbolic function in counting.

count indicator

Emphasizes the function of indicating a quantity.

score notation

Focuses on the representation of scores, rather than a simple count.

record symbol

Focuses on the symbol's function to keep a record.

stroke count

Specifies that the counting is done using strokes as marks.

mark on a chart

Highlights the context where tally marks are drawn.

check mark

Indicates completion or verification, not a running count.

FAQs

How can I use "tally mark" in a sentence?

You can use "tally mark" to describe a method of counting by making a mark for each item counted. For example, "The students used "tally marks" to keep track of the number of books they read."

What is another way to say "tally mark"?

Alternatives to "tally mark" include "hash mark", "tick mark", or "counting symbol". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "tally marks" or "tally mark"?

"Tally mark" refers to a single instance of the mark, while "tally marks" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple marks. The correct usage depends on whether you're discussing a single mark or multiple marks.

What's the difference between "tally mark" and "check mark"?

A "tally mark" is used for counting, adding one mark for each item. A "check mark", on the other hand, signifies completion or verification, not a cumulative count.