What is note? Pronunciation and usage in English

note means . Learn how to pronounce and use note through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of note

notenoun/verb

/nəʊt/
Definition & pronunciation of note

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "note" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are in the US and whether you're aiming for a more formal or casual sound.

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (Generally Used Everywhere):

  • ˈnɑːt (in American English)
    • ˈnɑːt - This is the key part. It sounds like "nahht" (like saying "night" but with a "n" at the beginning). The "a" is a broad, open "ah" sound, similar to the "a" in "father."
    • You might hear it slightly shortened to "nawt", especially in very casual speech.

2. A More Traditional (and slightly more formal) Pronunciation (Often heard in British English):

  • nɒt (in British English)
    • nɒt - Here, the "o" is a shorter, more closed "ɒ" sound – like the "o" in "hot" or "lot." It's a less open sound than the American pronunciation.

Here's a breakdown to help you:

  • "Note" (American): Focus on the broader, open "ah" sound at the beginning. Think of it as a gentle "nuh-aught."
  • "Note" (British): The "o" is shorter and more clipped.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.)
  • What kind of pronunciation are you aiming for? (e.g., general American, standard British, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word note in English

Let's break down how to use the word "note" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and grammatical functions! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Noun (the most common usage):

  • A Small Piece of Paper: This is the most basic meaning. A written reminder, a jotting down of information.

    • “Please write your name and phone number on the note.”
    • “I found a note tucked into my book.”

  • A Record of Something: This refers to a written account of something observed or experienced.

    • “Take notes during the lecture.” (This is a key use!)
    • “She kept a note of all the expenses.”
    • “He made a note about the meeting agenda.”
    • “Take notes of the evidence.”

  • A Point or Observation: Referring to a specific fact or idea.

    • “I wanted to make a note of her suggestion.”
    • “It's important to make a note of the potential risks.”

  • A Musical Notation: (Less common in everyday conversation)

    • “The conductor used a note to indicate a change in tempo.”

2. As a Verb:

  • To Write Down: This is the primary verb meaning.

    • “Note down the ingredients.”
    • “Please note the following changes.”
    • “Can you note the time I arrived?”

  • To Observe Carefully: (Similar to "notice")

    • “Note the way she smiled.” (Meaning: observe her smile carefully)
    • “Note the details in the photograph.”

  • To Take Particular Interest/Acknowledge: (More formal)

    • “He noted her expertise on the subject.” (Meaning: he acknowledged and paid attention to her expertise.)

3. Phrases Using "Note":

  • Take note: (Verb phrase) – “Take note of the new rules.” (Meaning: pay attention to)
  • Make a note: (Verb phrase) – “Make a note to call him later.” (Meaning: write something down as a reminder)
  • Note to self: (Idiom) – Used to write down a personal reminder. “Note to self: Buy milk.”
  • In note form: – “The information is presented in note form for easy reference."
  • Note of thanks/criticism/etc.: - “I wrote a note of thanks to the host.”

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun Small paper, record, observation “Write your address on the note.”
Noun Point/Observation “I made a note of her idea.”
Verb To write down “Note down the phone number.”
Verb To observe carefully “Note her polite behavior.”

Tips for Using "Note" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "note" depends heavily on how it’s used in the sentence.
  • ‘Notes’ is plural: “I took lots of notes.”
  • ‘Note-taking’ is a common phrase: "He's a good note-taker."

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "note"? (e.g., Write an email, answer a question on a test, understand a textbook?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're trying to use "note"?

Synonyms for the word note

Idioms of the word note

compare notes (with somebody)
if two or more people compare notes, they each say what they think about the same event, situation, etc.
  • We saw the play separately and compared notes afterwards.
  • Let's compare notes on our experiences.
hit/strike the right/wrong note
(especially British English)to do, say or write something that is suitable/not suitable for a particular occasion
  • It is a bizarre tale and the author hits just the right note of horror and disbelief.
  • Unfortunately, the president struck the wrong note in his speech, ignoring the public mood.
of note
of importance or of great interest
  • a scientist of note
  • The museum contains nothing of great note.
  • The frescoes are worthy of note.
sound/strike a note (of something)
to express feelings or opinions of a particular kind
  • She sounded a note of warning in her speech.
  • The touch of cynicism struck a slightly sour note.
take note (of something)
to pay attention to something and be sure to remember it
  • Take note of what he says.
  • Under the new rules the penalty for illegal play is increased. Players take note.
  • He took careful note of the suspicious-looking man in the corner of the bar.

Practice with vocabulary note

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. During the crucial board meeting, Sarah diligently took ____ of every decision and action point.
  2. The auditor's ____ highlighted several inconsistencies in the financial records.
  3. Please leave a quick ____ on my desk if you head out for lunch.
  4. His casual ____ during the presentation surprisingly sparked a lengthy debate among the attendees.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of these words best describes a short, informal written message often used as a reminder or a brief communication? (A) Thesis (B) Note (C) Dissertation (D) Autobiography

  2. When observing a process, it's crucial to ____ down any significant deviations from the standard procedure. (A) glance (B) imagine (C) disregard (D) note

  3. Which of the following are actions you might take during a meeting to ensure you remember important details for later reference? (Select all that apply) (A) Take notes (B) Engage in unrelated conversation (C) Make a mental note (D) Daydream

  4. Before implementing the new policy, the team decided to ____ the potential impact on customer satisfaction. (A) ignore (B) assess (C) dismiss (D) overlook

  5. The architect provided a detailed ____ of the building's structural weaknesses in his report. (A) omission (B) analysis (C) guess (D) rumor

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: "I wrote down the key takeaways from our strategy session for future reference." (Use "note" or a related word form)
  2. Rewrite: "It's important to be aware of the subtle shifts in consumer preferences to stay competitive." (Use "note" or a related word form)
  3. Rewrite: "The manager issued a short official communication regarding the revised dress code." (Do NOT use "note"; use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. note
  2. report
  3. note
  4. comment

Exercise 2:

  1. (B) Note
  2. (D) note
  3. (A) Take notes, (C) Make a mental note
  4. (B) assess
  5. (B) analysis

Exercise 3:

  1. I made a note of the key takeaways from our strategy session for future reference.
  2. One must note the subtle shifts in consumer preferences to stay competitive.
  3. The manager issued a short memo regarding the revised dress code.

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