- Do you ever wonder if you should “make a record” or “keep a record”?
- Is it “achieve a record” or “set a record”?
- How can you sound more natural when talking about data, achievements, or audio?
Welcome to this deep dive into collocations with the versatile word “RECORD”! Mastering collocations—words that naturally go together—is crucial for sounding fluent and confident in English. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning these common pairings will help you communicate more accurately and reduce language anxiety. Let’s explore how to use “RECORD” like a native speaker, whether you’re discussing achievements, documenting information, or talking about music.
Common Collocations with RECORD as a Verb
When “RECORD” is used as a verb, it generally means to make a permanent copy of something, achieve a certain level, or officially note down information.
To Make a Permanent Copy (Audio, Visual, Written)
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record a song/album: To create an audio version of music.
The band spent months in the studio to record their new album.
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record a video/footage: To capture moving images.
We used a drone to record stunning footage of the coastline.
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record a podcast/interview: To make an audio recording of a spoken discussion.
She decided to record a podcast about sustainable living.
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record a statement: To write down or document someone’s official declaration.
The police officer asked the witness to record a detailed statement.
To Achieve or Show a Specific Level/Outcome
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record a profit/loss: To achieve a gain or deficit financially.
Despite a challenging year, the company managed to record a small profit.
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record a rise/decline: To show an increase or decrease in something.
The market recorded a significant rise in tech stocks this quarter.
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record a victory/defeat: To achieve a win or suffer a loss in a competition.
The team recorded an impressive victory against their rivals.
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record a temperature: To measure and note the temperature.
The sensor recorded the highest temperature of the day at noon.
To Officially Document or Note Down
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record a vote: To officially register a person’s choice in an election or decision.
Each member was asked to record their vote privately.
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record findings/observations: To write down the results of a study or things noticed.
The scientists carefully recorded their findings from the experiment.
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record an entry: To write information into a log, journal, or ledger.
Please remember to record every entry in the expense log.
Essential Collocations using RECORD as a Noun
As a noun, “RECORD” refers to a piece of documented information, an achievement, or an audio recording.
Related to Information and Documentation
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keep a record: To maintain documentation or information.
It’s important to keep a detailed record of your expenses for tax purposes.
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set the record straight: To correct a misunderstanding or provide accurate information.
I need to set the record straight about what really happened that day.
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official record: A formal, authoritative document or piece of information.
His birth certificate is an official record of his date of birth.
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criminal record: A list of a person’s past crimes.
A clean criminal record is often required for certain jobs.
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medical record: A patient’s health information.
The doctor reviewed her extensive medical record before suggesting treatment.
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track record: A person’s or organization’s past performance.
The new CEO has an excellent track record of turning companies around.
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on record: Officially stated or documented.
His comments are now on record in the meeting minutes.
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go on record: To make an official statement publicly.
The CEO refused to go on record regarding the merger rumors.
Related to Achievements and Performance
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break a record: To surpass a previously established best achievement.
The athlete managed to break the world record in the 100-meter dash.
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set a record: To establish a new best achievement.
She managed to set a new record for fastest marathon time in her age group.
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hold a record: To currently possess the best achievement in a category.
Our team currently holds the record for the longest winning streak.
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world record: The best global achievement in a specific field.
Competing for a world record requires immense dedication.
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personal best (PB) record: An individual’s highest achievement.
He was thrilled to achieve a new personal best record in the long jump.
Related to Audio Recordings (especially vinyl)
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play a record: To listen to music from a vinyl disc.
Let’s play a record and relax this evening.
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listen to a record: Similar to ‘play a record’, focusing on the act of hearing.
She loves to listen to old jazz records on her turntable.
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collect records: To gather vinyl discs as a hobby.
My uncle has a huge passion for music and loves to collect records.
The Master Summary Table: Essential RECORD Collocations
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| record a song | Verb | Create an audio version of music |
| record a profit | Verb | Achieve a financial gain |
| record findings | Verb | Document results or observations |
| keep a record | Noun | Maintain documented information |
| set the record straight | Noun | Correct a misunderstanding |
| break a record | Noun | Surpass a previous achievement |
| set a record | Noun | Establish a new achievement |
| track record | Noun | Past performance or achievements |
| on record | Noun | Officially stated or documented |
| play a record | Noun | Listen to music from a vinyl disc |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoiding common errors is key to speaking English more naturally. Here’s how to ensure your use of “RECORD” collocations is native-like.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| make a record (when meaning achieve) | set a record or break a record |
| write down a record | record findings or make a record (of an event/entry) or keep a record |
| have a record (for achievement) | hold a record |
| write a song (when meaning record) | record a song (writing is composing, recording is performing/capturing) |
| good record (for past performance) | good track record |
| confirm the record | set the record straight |
During our team’s annual review, Sarah proudly announced that our sales department managed to record a significant profit this quarter, a testament to everyone’s hard work. She then went on to mention that our new marketing campaign has helped us set a new record for customer engagement. “We need to keep a detailed record of all feedback,” she emphasized, “to maintain this excellent track record.” Later, during a break, Mark suggested, “Let’s play a record and unwind a bit after all those numbers!”
Frequently Asked Questions about Record Collocations
What’s the difference between “set a record” and “break a record”?
“Set a record” means to achieve something for the first time or establish a new, unsurpassed best performance. For example, “The runner set a new world record.” “Break a record” means to surpass an existing record. For example, “She broke her own previous record by a few seconds.” You can also “hold a record,” meaning you currently possess the best achievement.
Can I say “make a record” in English?
Yes, but its usage is specific. You can “make a record” in the sense of creating a document or official entry (e.g., “make a record of the meeting minutes”). However, for achievements, you would generally use “set a record” or “break a record.” For audio, you “record a song” or “record an album,” not typically “make a record” (unless referring to the physical vinyl product).
When should I use “on record” versus “go on record”?
“On record” describes something that has already been officially stated or documented. For example, “His statement is on record.” “Go on record” means to make an official, public statement. For example, “The spokesperson refused to go on record about the scandal.” It implies the act of making the statement.
Are there specific prepositions used with “record”?
Yes, a few common ones include:
- on record: (as mentioned above) officially stated/documented.
- off the record: not for publication; confidential.
- record of: a document or account of something (e.g., “a record of attendance”).
- record for: referring to an achievement in a specific category (e.g., “the record for the fastest time”).
Does “record” always refer to something official or important?
Not always! While many collocations with “RECORD” (as a noun or verb) do relate to official documentation, achievements, or significant events (e.g., “criminal record,” “record a statement”), it can also be used in more casual contexts. For instance, you can “record a video” of a funny moment with friends, or simply “play a record” for enjoyment. Context always helps clarify the nuance.
For advanced learners, perhaps you could also touch on the less common, but still valid, verb usage, like 'record a protest' (meaning to officially register it) or 'record a dissent.' Those feel slightly different from 'making a permanent copy.'
I used to always say 'do a record' instead of 'make a record' or 'keep a record,' and my English friends would sometimes look at me funny. This article explains why! It's so good to know these natural pairings.
We're so glad this cleared things up for you, Chloé! 'Do a record' isn't standard, and mastering these collocations is exactly how you'll sound more natural and confident. It's a common hurdle for learners, but with resources like this and your dedication, you'll overcome it quickly!
Simple, direct, and very useful. Thanks for this lesson!
This is such a clear explanation! My students always mix these up. Will you be doing an article on the noun collocations for 'record' next? That would be equally amazing!
We're thrilled to hear it's helpful for your students, Anya! And yes, you read our minds! We're already planning a follow-up article dedicated to the noun collocations of 'record' (e.g., 'keep a record,' 'set a record,' 'break a record,' 'track record,' 'criminal record,' etc.). Your feedback helps us tailor our content, so thank you for the suggestion!
The part about 'record footage' is interesting. In the UK, we often just say 'film footage.' Is there a difference in nuance between 'record footage' and 'film footage' or is it mostly preference?
What about 'record live'? Can you say 'we recorded the concert live' or is 'live recording' the only correct way? I sometimes hear both.
That's a great question, Isabelle! Both 'we recorded the concert live' and 'a live recording' are perfectly correct and commonly used. 'Record live' uses 'live' as an adverb, describing how the recording was made (in real-time during the event). 'Live recording' uses 'live' as an adjective modifying 'recording' (a recording made during a live performance). So you can confidently use either, depending on whether you want to emphasize the action or the resulting product!
Very practical examples! English can be tricky with these small word choices. I appreciate the clarity.
Could you perhaps give a few more examples of 'record' used to achieve a certain level? Like 'record high' or 'record low'? I sometimes struggle with using 'record' as an adjective in those contexts.
Excellent point, Sophie! While the article primarily focused on 'record' as a verb (e.g., to set/break a record), you're right that 'record' often functions as an adjective to describe extreme levels. For instance: 'The city saw a record high temperature today,' or 'Stock prices hit a record low this quarter.' In these cases, 'record' means 'the highest/lowest ever recorded.' It's a fantastic way to emphasize extremes! Thanks for highlighting this nuance.
The example 'record a podcast/interview' is super useful for me! I'm starting my own English learning podcast, and I want to make sure I use natural language. This helps a lot!
Thank you for this! I was wondering, what about phrases like 'on record' or 'off the record'? Do those also fall under these collocations, or are they more idiomatic expressions?
That's a great question, Priya! Phrases like 'on (the) record' and 'off the record' are indeed idiomatic expressions that use 'record' as a noun. 'On the record' means information that is officially stated and can be quoted, while 'off the record' means information given confidentially and not for publication. While they relate to the concept of 'recording' information, they function as fixed idioms rather than typical verb-noun collocations, which is what this article primarily focused on for 'RECORD' as a verb. We might explore noun idioms with 'record' in another post!