What Does “Mark sth down” Mean?
“Mark sth down” means to reduce the price of something or to write something down as a note. It is a common phrasal verb used in both business and everyday contexts.
Introduction
The phrase “mark sth down” has two main uses. First, it is used when a seller lowers the price of an item, often to encourage sales or clear stock. Second, it can mean to write information down for future reference, such as taking notes during a meeting. Understanding the mark sth down meaning helps learners use it correctly in different situations. This phrasal verb is practical in shopping, business, and daily life, making it a useful expression to know. In this article, you will find clear explanations, examples, and tips on how to use “mark sth down” naturally in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: mark something down
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to reduce the price or to write something down
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Mark sth down” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Mark the price down.
- Mark down the price.
- Write it down (similar structure).
When the object is a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the particle: mark it down, not mark down it.
How to Use “Mark sth down”?
Use “mark sth down” when talking about lowering prices, especially in shops or sales. For example, “The store marked the shoes down by 20%.” It is also used when writing notes: “Please mark down the important points.” The context usually makes it clear whether it’s about price or note-taking.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use “mark sth down” in a sentence.
- The shop owner decided to mark the winter coats down to attract more customers.
- Remember to mark down the date of our meeting on your calendar.
- They marked down all the electronics before the holiday sale.
- Can you mark down the phone number so you don’t forget it?
- Prices were marked down after the new model was released.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the position of the object in this phrasal verb. Here are some common errors and the correct forms.
- Incorrect: Mark down it the price.
- Correct: Mark it down the price. Or better: Mark down the price.
- Incorrect: Please mark the down notes.
- Correct: Please mark down the notes.
Remember, with pronouns, always place the object between the verb and particle.
Differences / Synonyms
“Mark sth down” is similar to “reduce,” “discount,” or “note down,” but each has a specific use.
- Reduce/discount: More general terms for lowering price. “Mark sth down” is commonly used in retail.
- Note down/write down: These focus only on writing information, not prices.
- Put down: Can mean writing something but less specific than “mark down.”
Use “mark sth down” when you want to emphasize either a price reduction or recording information carefully.
Common Collocations
Here are common objects used with “mark sth down” and their meanings:
- Price: To reduce the cost of an item.
- Cost: Similar to price, often used in business contexts.
- Notes: To write information down.
- Details: To record specific information.
- Items: Products in a sale.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of mark sth down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “mark sth down”:
Customer: Are these shoes on sale?
Shop assistant: Yes, we marked them down by 30% this week.
Customer: Great! Can you also mark down the size I need?
Shop assistant: Sure, I’ll write it down for you.
Practice
Complete the sentences with the correct form of “mark sth down”:
- The store ______ the winter jackets ______ to clear inventory.
- Please ______ ______ the meeting time so you don’t forget.
- They ______ the prices ______ before the holiday sale.
- Can you ______ the phone number ______ for me?
FAQs
- What does “mark sth down” mean? It means to reduce the price of something or to write something down as a note.
- Is “mark sth down” separable? Yes, the object can go between the verb and particle or after the particle.
- Can I use “mark sth down” when taking notes? Yes, it is commonly used to mean writing information down.
- What is the difference between “mark down” and “discount”? “Mark down” is a phrasal verb often used in shops, while “discount” is a noun or verb meaning a price reduction.
- How do I use “mark sth down” with pronouns? Place the pronoun between the verb and particle, for example, “mark it down.”
