note down

write something down so you remember it later

B2

What does "note sth down" mean?

To note something down means to write it on paper or a screen so you don't forget it — a phone number someone gives you verbally, the key points from a meeting, or instructions you need to follow later. Unlike simply thinking something is important, noting it down always involves the physical act of writing. The phrase carries a sense of purpose and deliberateness: you're recording something because you know you'll need it later. It sits comfortably in both spoken and written English, working equally well in casual conversation and more structured settings like workplaces or classrooms. In many situations it's interchangeable with 'write down', though 'note down' tends to suggest slightly more intentional recording rather than quick, informal scribbling.

Examples

How to use it

note down + object

The most straightforward pattern, used when the object is a longer noun phrase or clause — it follows 'down' unseparated.

Make sure you note down everything the technician tells you about the settings.

note + short object + down

With short noun objects, separation is natural and very common in everyday use.

She noted the reference number down before ending the call.

note + pronoun + down

Pronoun objects must always appear between 'note' and 'down' — this is not optional.

The customer service agent gave me a code, so I noted it down straight away.

object + be noted down

The passive form is possible and occasionally appears in instructional or formal contexts.

All feedback from the session was noted down and sent to the project manager.

imperative: note down + object

Very common in spoken instructions and requests, where someone tells another person to record something.

Note down your student ID number — you'll need it throughout the course.

Common Collocations

phone numberaddressdetailskey pointsideasinstructions

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placed after 'down'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'note' and 'down'. Placing it after 'down' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ I noted down it when she told me.
✓ I noted it down when she told me.
Confusing 'note down' with 'jot down'

'Jot down' implies writing something quickly and casually, while 'note down' is more neutral and suggests deliberate recording for future reference. They aren't always interchangeable in tone.

✗ During the formal briefing, I jotted down the key safety procedures. (acceptable, but 'noted down' is more appropriate here)
✓ During the formal briefing, I noted down the key safety procedures.
Using 'note down' for mental awareness rather than physical writing

'Note down' always implies actually writing something — it doesn't mean simply noticing or mentally registering something. For that meaning, use 'note' alone or 'be aware of'.

✗ I noted down that he seemed nervous during the interview. (if no writing was involved)
✓ I noted that he seemed nervous during the interview.

Usage

Both 'note down' and 'write down' are correct and nearly interchangeable; 'note down' is slightly more common in British English and carries a sense of recording something carefully for later use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'note down' and 'write down'?

They are very close in meaning and often interchangeable. 'Write down' is more general and more common in casual speech, especially in American English. 'Note down' implies slightly more deliberate, purposeful recording — as if you're making sure to capture something important — and is more common in British English.

Can I just say 'note' without 'down'?

Yes, 'note' on its own is correct, but it sounds more formal — you'd see it in written instructions or official contexts (e.g. 'Please note your booking reference'). Adding 'down' makes the phrase feel more immediate and conversational, and makes it clear that physical writing is involved.

Is 'note down' more British or American English?

'Note down' is used in both varieties but is more common in British English. American speakers tend to prefer 'write down' in most everyday situations. Either is understood globally, so you won't cause confusion by using it.

What kinds of things can you 'note down'?

Typically concrete information you need to remember: phone numbers, addresses, names, dates, reference numbers, or passwords. It's also common with more abstract content like key points from a meeting, ideas, instructions, or observations — anything you're recording deliberately for future use.

Can 'note down' be used in the passive?

Yes, it's grammatically possible and occasionally used, especially in instructional or workplace contexts. For example: 'All suggestions were noted down and reviewed by the team.' That said, the active form is far more common in everyday speech.

Related Phrasal Verbs

write sth down
take sth down

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