Cool MateNote vs Please know
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Note
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Please know
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Note
| Note | Please know | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/nəʊt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/nəʊt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pliːz nəʊ//🇺🇸 //pliːz noʊ// |
| Meaning | A piece of writing, usually short. | To ask someone to understand or be aware of something. |
| Example | I left a note on the fridge for you. | Please know that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | brief, copious, detailed, jot down, keep, make, note of, note on, make a mental note (of something/to do something), brief, little, quick, scribble (somebody), write (somebody), send (somebody), a note of thanks, brief, copious, detailed, jot down, keep, make, note of, note on, make a mental note (of something/to do something), detailed, extensive, explanatory, detailed, extensive, explanatory, five-pound, ten-euro, etc., bundle, roll, wad, high, top, low, play, sing, hit, brighter, cheerful, happier, hit, sound, strike, creep into somebody’s voice, enter somebody’s voice, note of, a note in somebody’s voice | please know that, please know how, please know your options |
| Antonyms | forget, ignore | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'notate', which is more about musical or formal notation., Using 'note' as a verb incorrectly in some contexts., Overusing in contexts where 'memo' or 'message' would be clearer. | Using 'please know' too casually in informal situations., Confusing with 'you should know' when the tone should be more polite., Overusing 'please know' can sound repetitive. |
| Usage notes | Use 'note' when writing something down to remember or inform. It's more neutral than casual terms like 'jot down'. Avoid it in very formal reports. | Use 'please know' when giving important information. It's polite and formal enough for most settings, but it may sound slightly stiff in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Note vs Please know
What's the difference between Note and Please know?
Note: A piece of writing, usually short. Please know: To ask someone to understand or be aware of something.
Which is more common: Note and Please know?
Note is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Note: I left a note on the fridge for you. Please know: Please know that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week.
Can I use Note and Please know interchangeably?
Not always. Note and Please know 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.