take notes

Meaning

This expression means to write down key information, ideas, or reminders during a meeting, presentation, or conversation. It helps professionals remember important details and action items. It is a neutral, everyday collocation used in both academic and corporate environments.

Examples

• Please take notes during the meeting so we don't forget the client's feedback.

  Please take notes during the meeting so we don't forget the client's feedback.

• I always take notes on my laptop because it is faster than writing by hand.

  I always take notes on my laptop because it is faster than writing by hand.

• Could someone volunteer to take notes during today's brainstorming session?

  Could someone volunteer to take notes during today's brainstorming session?

• He took detailed notes while the manager was explaining the new process.

  He took detailed notes while the manager was explaining the new process.

• It's a good habit to take notes when you are learning a new software system.

  It's a good habit to take notes when you are learning a new software system.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will write notes during the presentation.

  ✓ I will take notes during the presentation.

  While 'write notes' is grammatically correct, 'take notes' is the standard, globally accepted collocation in professional and academic environments.

• ✗ Did you take notes of the phone call?

  ✓ Did you take notes during the phone call?

  We usually 'take notes during' or 'take notes on' an event, rather than 'of' it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Don't worry about remembering everything; just ___ during the call.

  💡 Use the standard verb for writing down information.

  Show answer

  take notes

• She was ___ while the client was describing their requirements.

  💡 Use the continuous -ing form.

  Show answer

  taking notes