Bear in mind vs Note

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

Bear in mind

Top 2,000 (common)

Note

Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Note
 Bear in mindNote
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //bɛə(r) ɪn maɪnd//🇺🇸 //bɛr ɪn maɪnd//🇬🇧 /["/nəʊt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/nəʊt/"]/
MeaningRemember or consider something.A piece of writing, usually short.
ExamplePlease bear in mind that the deadline is next week.I left a note on the fridge for you.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-A1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsbear in mind that, bear in mind when, bear in mind the fact, please bear in mind, don't forget to bear in mindbrief, 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
Antonyms-forget, ignore
Common mistakesOmitting 'in mind' and saying just 'bear'., Using it in questions like 'Can you bear in mind?' instead of statements., Confusing with 'keep in mind' which has similar meaning but is more casual.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.
Usage notesUse this expression to remind someone to think of an important point. It's neutral, so it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.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.

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Bear in mind

Frequently asked questions: Bear in mind vs Note

What's the difference between Bear in mind and Note?

Bear in mind: Remember or consider something. Note: A piece of writing, usually short.

Which is more common: Bear in mind and Note?

Note is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Bear in mind: Please bear in mind that the deadline is next week. Note: I left a note on the fridge for you.

Can I use Bear in mind and Note interchangeably?

Not always. Bear in mind and Note 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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