took a few notes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a few notes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of writing down information or observations during a meeting, lecture, or conversation. Example: "During the lecture, I took a few notes to help me remember the key points discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He took a few notes from his own pile and added it to the collection.

The New Yorker

Most, dressed in their chef's whites, maintained polite interest and took a few notes.

The New York Times

I sat on a bench nearby and took a few notes, highdeas all of them, and drank the water frantically.

Vice

Really, I didn't even read it, I just sort of skipped to the slapping ass parts, took a few notes (ahem), and put the book down.

Huffington Post

It was pretty apparent that Vivien and Ben took a few notes from "Beetlejuice" because they had a little too much fun killing each other off in front of the terrified new owners.

Huffington Post

The new book was pretty popular in Liverpool this Christmas The interview wasn't an 'interview' in the traditional sense, but the way in which it came about only highlights the underlying philosophy of The End. "I said it was an 'interview', but really I just sat in on an interview and took a few notes and a couple of extra photographs.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Take a few notes from Trent Reznor, Pete.

The New Yorker

Maybe even take a few notes.

The Guardian - Books

By then, we had arrived at the café, and I was glad to sit down and take a few notes on Neve's revelations.

The New Yorker

For the most part, Mr Tsipras sat rather impassively listening to a translation on his headphone and taking a few notes, interjecting with the occasional finger-wagging, head shake or chuckle.

Independent

Guy Thompson, who again stood out at flanker with one second-half charge more than enough to make the watching England coach Steve Borthwick take a few notes, was in support and having read Cipriani's intention passed almost in one movement to Jimmy Gopperth outside him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took a few notes", ensure the context clearly indicates what the notes pertain to. Providing specifics enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "took a few notes" without specifying the subject or context of the notes. Instead of just saying "took a few notes", specify what you were noting like, "took a few notes on the lecture's key points" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a few notes" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of writing down some information. It is commonly used to describe a deliberate act of recording key points, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took a few notes" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of recording key information. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To improve clarity, it is best to specify the context or subject of the notes. Alternatives include "jotted down some points" and "documented essential details", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noted down key aspects

Highlights the act of noting specific and significant details.

jotted down some points

Focuses on quick and informal note-taking.

scribbled some observations

Conveys a sense of hastily written observations.

made some quick records

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the recordings.

wrote down key information

Highlights the selection of important information for recording.

recorded significant items

Focuses on the importance of the items being recorded.

documented the main ideas

Implies a more formal and structured approach to recording ideas.

captured essential details

Suggests focusing on the most crucial aspects of the information.

registered important details

Highlights formal registration of main details.

kept a brief account

Indicates maintaining a short summary or log.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "took a few notes" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can replace "took a few notes" with phrases like "recorded key points", "documented essential details", or "prepared a written summary".

What's a more casual way to say "took a few notes"?

For informal situations, consider using phrases such as "jotted down some ideas", "scribbled some thoughts", or "dashed off a quick note".

Is there a difference between "took notes" and "took a few notes"?

"Took notes" generally implies a more comprehensive recording, while "took a few notes" suggests a selective or summarized recording of the most important points. The latter emphasizes brevity.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "took a few notes"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that you selectively wrote down key pieces of information during a meeting, lecture, or conversation. It suggests you weren't exhaustively transcribing everything, but rather capturing the main points.