# write sth down

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/write-sth-down
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to record information on paper so that you do not forget it.

For teachers: to transcribe spoken or thought information onto a physical or digital medium for the purpose of record-keeping or future reference.

## Examples

- Please write down your phone number.
- The doctor gave me so much advice that I had to write it down to remember everything.
- The journalist meticulously wrote down every detail of the witness's testimony to ensure the accuracy of the upcoming report.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Write down it." but "Write it down." — when the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- the object can be a noun or a pronoun; if using a pronoun like 'it', it must go in the middle.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'take notes', which implies a longer process; 'write down' is often used for short, specific pieces of information like names or dates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.