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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Make a mental note

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Deliberately try to remember something for later.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I made a mental note to bring a charger next time.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Deliberately try to remember something for later.
Show the answer

Make a mental note — Deliberately try to remember something for later.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Make a mental note” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Deliberately try to remember something for later.

Compare: I made a mental note to bring a charger next time.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this everyday expression about noticing information or reminding yourself to do something. It describes an intention to remember, rather than a written reminder.

More examples in context

  • She made a mental note of the room number before putting her phone away.
  • Make a mental note that the entrance is on the other side of the building.

Usage note

Use “make a mental note of” plus a noun, “to” plus a verb, or “that” plus a clause. The past tense is “made”. A mental note is kept in your mind; write it down too if remembering is important.

A short conversation

A: The workshop starts half an hour earlier next week.
B: I’ll make a mental note to leave home earlier.
A: It might help to update your calendar as well.

One more practice question

Which sentence uses the expression correctly?

A. “I made a mental note for email the form tomorrow.”
B. “I made a mental note to email the form tomorrow.”

Check your answer

B. Use “to” followed by the base verb when noting a future action.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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