took careful note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took careful note" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has paid close attention to something or has made a mental or written record of important information. Example: "During the meeting, she took careful note of all the key points discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In the darkness, people around him took careful note.

The Guardian - Arts

Before selling the dolls, she said, she took careful note of the buyer, who paid $25.

The New York Times

Pooja gloried in the responsibility she took careful note of our tastes, surprised us with new dishes, pored over cookbooks.

The New Yorker

But Tony Stewart, a leading civil rights activist in the inland Northwest, took careful note of the report.

The New York Times

A sidewalk crowd of mourners, many of them from the job, took careful note as the commissioner arrived.

The New York Times

They took careful note of what others ate, owned, received as gifts, and whether or not they were sufficiently generous in return.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Ms. Zwarensteyn took careful notes.

The New York Times

Mr. Schneider took careful notes.

The New York Times

He took careful notes by pencil.

The New York Times - Tech

This is why you took careful notes about where you found grubs.

Cornell University

America certainly took careful notes: the USS Cole, a guided-missile destroyer, visited Estonia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "took careful note". If you want to emphasize the recording aspect, alternatives like "noted meticulously" might be more appropriate. If the attention is the primary focus, "paid close attention" could be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "took careful note" in unnecessarily passive constructions. For example, instead of "Careful note was taken," opt for "He/She/They took careful note" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took careful note" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of paying close attention and potentially recording information. It's used to describe someone's attentiveness to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took careful note" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying attentiveness and potential record-keeping. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It appears frequently in news and academic sources, indicating its versatility. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "paid close attention" and "observed closely", "took careful note" offers a balanced blend of formality and clarity for describing someone's observant behavior. When using this phrase, ensure it's in an active voice construction for stronger impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paid close attention

Focuses more on the act of paying attention rather than the recording aspect.

observed closely

Emphasizes the act of observing with attention to detail.

made a careful observation

Highlights the act of making an observation, often implying a considered judgment.

noted meticulously

Stresses the detailed and precise recording of information.

registered attentively

Highlights the act of registering something in one's mind with focus.

gave due consideration

Focuses on the act of thinking carefully about something.

scrutinized thoroughly

Emphasizes a detailed and critical examination.

closely monitored

Implies ongoing observation over a period of time.

kept a watchful eye

Suggests vigilance and attentiveness to potential changes or problems.

heeded attentively

Focuses on listening and taking advice or warnings seriously.

FAQs

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

You can use "took careful note" to indicate that someone paid close attention to something. For instance, "The scientist "took careful note" of the experimental results".

What can I say instead of "took careful note"?

You can use alternatives like "paid close attention", "observed closely", or "noted meticulously" depending on the context.

Is "took careful note" formal or informal?

"Took careful note" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, you might consider using alternatives like "made a careful observation".

What is the difference between "took careful note" and "took careful notes"?

"Took careful note" emphasizes the act of paying attention and registering something, while "took careful notes" specifically refers to the act of writing down information. The latter implies a written record.