- Have you ever wondered if you should say “make notice” or “take notice”?
- Do you know the difference between “giving notice” and “receiving notice” in a professional setting?
- Are you looking for the right adjectives to describe how quickly you observed something?
Mastering Notice collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words rarely exist in isolation; they travel in “packs” called collocations. Using the word “notice” correctly helps you sound more natural, reduces “Language Anxiety” by providing you with ready-made phrases, and ensures your meaning is clear in both casual and professional environments.
Common Collocations with NOTICE as a Verb
When used as a verb, “notice” refers to the act of becoming aware of something through your senses. It is a stative verb often used to describe perception.
Adverbs used with Notice
These collocations describe how or to what degree you observe something.
- Hardly notice / Barely notice: To almost miss seeing something.
Example: I hardly noticed the change in her hair color until she mentioned it. - Suddenly notice: To become aware of something abruptly.
Example: I suddenly noticed that I had left my keys inside the car. - Immediately notice: To see something the very first moment it appears.
Example: Visitors immediately notice the beautiful artwork in the lobby. - Fail to notice: A formal way to say you didn’t see something.
Example: The driver failed to notice the stop sign at the intersection.
Notice + Noun (Common Objects)
Certain nouns frequently follow the verb “notice” to describe patterns of observation.
- Notice a difference: To perceive a change between two states.
Example: Since I started exercising, I notice a huge difference in my energy levels. - Notice a trend/pattern: To observe a repeating sequence.
Example: Economists noticed a pattern in consumer spending during the holidays. - Notice a mistake: To spot an error.
Example: Please check the document and let me know if you notice any mistakes.
Essential Collocations using NOTICE as a Noun
As a noun, “notice” has two primary meanings: “attention/observation” and “a formal warning or announcement.”
Notice meaning “Attention”
These phrases describe the act of paying attention to something or something being prominent.
- Take notice of: To pay attention to something deliberately.
Example: You should take notice of the new safety regulations posted on the wall. - Escape someone’s notice: When someone does not see or realize something.
Example: I hope my hard work didn’t escape the manager’s notice. - Worthy of notice: Something significant enough to be observed.
Example: There are several worthy of notice improvements in the latest software update. - Beneath someone’s notice: (Slightly formal) When someone feels something is too unimportant to deal with.
Example: He felt that answering such petty complaints was beneath his notice.
Notice meaning “Warning or Information”
These collocations are essential for workplace English and formal communication.
- Short notice: With very little time to prepare.
Example: Thank you for coming to the meeting on such short notice. - Give notice: To formally inform an employer that you are leaving your job.
Example: Sarah gave two weeks’ notice before moving to her new company. - Advance notice: Information given before an event happens.
Example: Please give us advance notice if you need to cancel your appointment. - Until further notice: A phrase meaning a situation will stay the same until a new announcement is made.
Example: The library is closed for repairs until further notice. - At a moment’s notice: Very quickly; immediately.
Example: As a doctor, he has to be ready to leave for the hospital at a moment’s notice.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Take notice of | Noun Phrase | To pay attention to someone or something. |
| Short notice | Noun Phrase | Little time for preparation. |
| Hardly notice | Verb + Adverb | To almost not see/perceive something. |
| Give notice | Verb + Noun | To resign from a job formally. |
| Until further notice | Prepositional Phrase | Until a new update is provided. |
| Escape one’s notice | Verb Phrase | To be overlooked or not seen. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I made notice of the change. | I took notice of the change. |
| Thank you for the small notice. | Thank you for the short notice. |
| I will give my resignation notice. | I will give my notice / hand in my notice. |
| In a moment’s notice. | At a moment’s notice. |
“Dear Team, please take notice of the updated project timeline attached. I apologize for the short notice, but due to unforeseen technical issues, the office will be closed until further notice. I immediately noticed a discrepancy in our server logs this morning, and we must address it. Thank you for being ready to adapt at a moment’s notice.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Notice Collocations
What is the difference between “At short notice” and “On short notice”?
Both are correct and mean the same thing. However, “At short notice” is more common in British English (UK), while “On short notice” is the standard preference in American English (US).
Can I say “I noticed you” to mean “I saw you”?
Yes, but “noticed” implies you became aware of the person’s presence, often among other things. “I saw you” is a general statement of vision, while “I noticed you” suggests you picked them out from a crowd or observed a detail about them.
Does “Give notice” always mean quitting a job?
In a professional context, yes. However, in a legal or housing context, it can also mean a landlord telling a tenant to leave (serving notice) or a tenant telling a landlord they are moving out.
What does “Take no notice” mean?
This is a common collocation meaning to ignore something. If someone tells you, “Take no notice of him,” they are telling you to ignore what he is saying or doing.
Is “Notice” the same as “Note”?
No. “Notice” usually happens spontaneously (you see something). “To note” or “take note” is more deliberate and often involves writing something down or making a conscious mental effort to remember a specific fact.
Thank you for tackling Language Anxiety! It's a real struggle when you're not sure if you're using the right words together. This article is very reassuring.
Rina, we completely understand the challenge of Language Anxiety, and it's precisely why we focus on collocations! Having those 'ready-made phrases' can significantly boost confidence and make speaking feel more natural. We're so glad this article brought you reassurance!
Any difference between US and UK English for these 'notice' collocations? Especially for professional ones?
Hi Ben! Generally, the core 'notice' collocations like 'take notice,' 'give notice,' 'hardly notice,' etc., are consistent across both US and UK English. The professional uses, like 'giving notice' (of resignation), are standard in both. There might be slight regional preferences for other, less common synonyms, but for the phrases highlighted in the article, they are universally understood.
This article made me realize how many little phrases I've been misusing. The example of 'suddenly notice' is perfect because it happens all the time when I'm walking around!
We're so happy to hear that, Priya! Realizing these small nuances is a huge step in your language journey. 'Suddenly notice' is indeed very common in everyday observations. Keep practicing, and you'll master them in no time!
I've heard people say 'I didn't even catch that.' Is 'catch that' similar to 'hardly notice'?
That's a good comparison, Anja! 'I didn't even catch that' is very similar to 'I hardly noticed that,' especially when referring to something fleeting or subtle. 'Catch' in this context means 'to perceive or detect,' making it a good informal substitute for 'notice' in some situations.
The stative verb explanation for 'notice' is very clear. It's often difficult to distinguish these from action verbs. Thanks for highlighting that!
You're welcome, Omar! We're glad the distinction was clear. Understanding stative verbs like 'notice' is key to using tenses correctly and sounding natural. It's a common point of confusion for many learners.
Are there any informal or slang ways people use 'notice' collocations? Or is it mostly formal?
Great question, Chloe! While many 'notice' collocations like 'give notice' are professional, others like 'take notice' can be used informally too. For instance, 'Did you take notice of how quiet it got?' is perfectly casual. There aren't many distinct 'slang' collocations with 'notice,' as it tends to maintain a more neutral to formal tone. You're mostly safe using the collocations discussed in various settings!
This article really helped me understand why some of my sentences sounded 'off.' The 'packs' idea is a game-changer for my fluency. More articles on common collocations, please!
Fantastic to hear, Diego! That 'off' feeling is exactly what understanding collocations can fix. We're thrilled it's a 'game-changer' for you. And yes, absolutely! We'll continue to create more content on common collocations to help you sound even more natural.
I'm still a bit confused about 'giving notice' in a professional setting. Does it always mean resigning?
That's a good point for clarification, Sofia! 'Giving notice' often refers to informing your employer of your intention to leave your job. However, it can also refer to an employer 'giving notice' of termination to an employee, or even a landlord 'giving notice' to a tenant. The context usually makes it clear, but the core meaning is formal communication of an impending change.
Can you 'pay notice' to something? Or is it always 'take notice'?
Hi Kenji! While 'pay attention' is very common, 'pay notice' is not a standard collocation. The idiomatic phrase you're looking for when you want to emphasize observing or becoming aware is 'take notice.' Thanks for asking for clarification!
As an English teacher, I appreciate the clear explanations of 'notice' as a stative verb and the reduction of 'Language Anxiety.' I'm definitely sharing this with my advanced students!
We are so delighted to hear that, Elena! Knowing that our content is valuable for fellow educators is incredibly rewarding. We aim to make complex concepts digestible and to foster confidence in English learners. Thank you for sharing it with your students!