Cool MateMark my words vs Pay attention
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Mark my words
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Pay attention
| Mark my words | Pay attention | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //mɑːk maɪ wɜːdz//🇺🇸 //mɑrk maɪ wɜrdz// | |
| Meaning | Remember what I say, it will be important. | |
| Example | Mark my words, he will regret this decision. | - |
| Register | Informal | - |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | - |
| Collocations | mark my words, remember my words, mark these words, mark those words | - |
| Common mistakes | Misplaced as a formal statement., Using it without context or meaning., Not using it with a prediction or warning. | - |
| Usage notes | Use when you want to emphasize the seriousness of what you are saying. It's used in spoken language, often with a predictive tone. | - |
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Frequently asked questions: Mark my words vs Pay attention
What's the difference between Mark my words and Pay attention?
Mark my words: Remember what I say, it will be important. Pay attention:
Can I use Mark my words and Pay attention interchangeably?
Not always. Mark my words and Pay attention are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.