the note says

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the note says' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the contents of a note that has been given or sent to you. For example, "The note says that I should be at the meeting by 9am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

(The note says that he requested no changes).

The New Yorker

"Do not touch the blue 'E!"' the note says.

The New York Times - Tech

He started there heading a department at the beginning of 2007, the note says.

Independent

"The readings of the induced surge are comparable," the note says.

The New York Times

Mann, the note says, is alive and living in New Mexico.

The New York Times - Books

The note says the production is about to happen but omits the where, the when and the how.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

the note said.

The New York Times

Take him back, the note said.

The New York Times

"Met your friend Audrey," the note said.

The New Yorker

"Please write," the note said.

The New York Times - Books

"Stay strong," the note said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, especially in formal writing, consider replacing "the note says" with stronger verbs like 'indicates', 'states', or 'mentions', depending on the intended nuance and context.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions solely based on what "the note says" without considering the context in which the note was written or the credibility of its author. Always cross-reference with other sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the note says" functions as a reporting clause. It introduces information or quotations extracted from a written note. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, making it a reliable way to convey information directly from a source.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the note says" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for reporting information sourced from a note. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. While it serves well for general communication, more formal alternatives may be suitable for professional writing. For instance, using "according to the note" to enhance clarity or "the document states" to sound more formal. Remember to consider the note's context and credibility when interpreting its contents. Overall, "the note says" provides a reliable means for directly referencing written information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to the note

Adds a prepositional phrase to specify the source of the information more directly.

the message indicates

Formal alternative using 'indicates' instead of 'says'.

the document states

Replaces 'note' with 'document' to suggest a formal written communication and uses 'states' to convey information.

the letter mentions

Uses 'letter' instead of 'note' for a more formal tone, and 'mentions' to introduce the information.

it is written in the note

Passive voice construction focusing on the content of the note.

the memo reveals

Substitutes 'note' with 'memo', suggesting internal communication, and uses 'reveals' for emphasis.

the slip of paper reads

Replaces 'note' with 'slip of paper' for informality, and uses 'reads' to suggest a direct interpretation.

the writing conveys

Abstracts the source to 'the writing', emphasizing the act of conveying information.

the briefing specifies

Replaces note with 'briefing' for business contexts and specifies for clarity.

the communiqué asserts

Uses a more formal term 'communiqué' to replace note and 'asserts' to emphasize a declaration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the note says" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "the message indicates", "the document states", or "the letter mentions". These alternatives provide a more professional and authoritative feel.

What are some alternatives to "the note says" for informal contexts?

In informal settings, consider using "the slip of paper reads" or simply stating what the note mentions without explicitly attributing it with "says". This keeps the tone casual and conversational.

When is it appropriate to use "the note says" in writing?

"The note says" is suitable when you want to directly refer to the content of a note. It's commonly used in reporting, summarizing, or explaining information found in a written message. Make sure to provide context so that your audience can understand your reasons for citing the note.

Is "the note says" the same as "according to the note"?

While similar, "according to the note" explicitly indicates that the information comes from the note, whereas "the note says" directly presents the note's content. Both are acceptable, but "according to the note" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the source.