Record vs Write this down

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Record

Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun

Write this down

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Record
 RecordWrite this down
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈrekɔːd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrekərd/"]/🇬🇧 //raɪt ðɪs daʊn//🇺🇸 //raɪt ðɪs daʊn//
MeaningTo write down or save information.To put something on paper.
ExampleI bought a new record of my favorite artist yesterday.Please write this down so you don’t forget.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsformal, official, public, keep, maintain, compile, contain something, include something, indicate something, in the record, in the records, off the record, access to the records, have a record of something, have no record of something, club, course, national, hold, establish, set, stand, fall, book, attempt, breaker, record for, record with, in record time, past, track, distinguished, have, possess, establish, demonstrate something, show something, compare with something, record among, record for, record in, long-playing, LP, gramophone, write, cut, make, company, industry, label, long-playing, LP, gramophone, write, cut, make, company, industry, labelwrite this down quickly, write this down carefully, ask someone to write this down
Antonymserase, delete-
Common mistakesConfused with 'recorded' when discussing past actions., Using 'record' incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., Mixing up 'record' with 'recall' which has a different meaning.Learners often forget to use it in imperative form., Some may confuse it with 'write down this' which is less common.
Usage notesUse 'record' when talking about saving audio, video, or information. It's suitable in most contexts, but in casual speech, phrases like 'make a recording' may sound more natural.Use when instructing someone to record information. More suitable in casual settings; may sound too informal in professional contexts.

See it in real clips

Record
Write this down

Frequently asked questions: Record vs Write this down

What's the difference between Record and Write this down?

Record: To write down or save information. Write this down: To put something on paper.

Which is more common: Record and Write this down?

Record is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Record: I bought a new record of my favorite artist yesterday. Write this down: Please write this down so you don’t forget.

Can I use Record and Write this down interchangeably?

Not always. Record and Write this down 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.

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