note taking (note-taking)

Short answer: Use note-taking (with a hyphen) in most writing. Use take notes when you mean the verb phrase. Avoid notetaking (one word) in prose.

Quick answer

Rule of thumb: Hyphenate when the words act together as a single idea (adjective or noun). Use the verb phrase for the action.

Compound modifier before a noun → note-taking skills (hyphenate).
As a noun describing the activity → note-taking is standard.
As a verb/action → she took notes (no hyphen).
Avoid notetaking (one word) in documents and public writing.

Core explanation

Hyphens show that two words form a single concept. note-taking signals that note + taking belong together, either naming the activity or modifying another noun. If that construction feels awkward, rewrite the sentence to use a verb phrase (take notes) or reorder the words.

Hyphenation rules you can apply now

Run these checks in order: is the phrase modifying a noun? Hyphenate. Is it the name of an activity? Hyphenate. Is it the action in the clause? Use a verb phrase.

Before a noun → hyphenate: note-taking method, note-taking app.
As a noun → hyphenate in running text: my note-taking improved.
As the action → use the verb: she took notes.
One-word form (notetaking) → avoid in formal writing.

Spacing and the one-word temptation

Frequent word pairs sometimes fuse into single words (notebook, email). Note-taking has not fully become one word in dictionaries or style guides, so keep the hyphen in running text. File names and tags can drop spaces for technical reasons, but treat prose differently.

File names/tags: use note_taking or note-taking per system rules.
Brand names may stylize the word; that's a proper noun choice, not general usage.

Grammar: noun/adjective vs. verb (how to rewrite)

If the phrase functions as a noun or adjective, keep the hyphen. If the sentence describes an action, change to take/took notes for clarity and flow.

Noun: My note-taking is messy → keep hyphen.
Adjective: note-taking app → keep hyphen.
Verb rewrite: I take better notes → no hyphen needed.

Real usage: 9 clear wrong/right pairs (work, school, casual)

Copy-paste these fixes when you encounter notetaking or uncertain phrasing.

Work - Wrong: At the meeting, Sherry updated her notetaking for the team.
Work - Right: At the meeting, Sherry updated her note-taking for the team.
Work - Rewrite: At the meeting, Sherry clarified how she takes meeting notes for the team.
School - Wrong: For the exam, Sherry improved her notetaking during lectures.
School - Right: For the exam, Sherry improved her note-taking during lectures.
School - Rewrite: For the exam, Sherry started taking better notes in lectures.
Casual - Wrong: Any tips on better notetaking?
Casual - Right: Any tips on better note-taking?
Casual - Rewrite: How can I take better notes?

Quick rewrites you can copy (6 ready-to-use fixes)

Swap these into drafts depending on whether the phrase is a noun, adjective, or action.

Original: Sherry improved her notetaking skills by using different techniques.
Fixed: Sherry improved her note-taking skills by using different techniques.
Original: Sherry improved her notes taking abilities.
Fixed: Sherry improved her note-taking abilities.
Original: Sherry improved her notetaking and studying.
Fixed: Sherry improved her note-taking and her study habits.
Original: Her notetaking improved this semester.
Fixed: Her note-taking improved this semester.
Original: She is great at notetaking.
Fixed: She is great at note-taking.
Original: Any notetaking tips for meetings?
Fixed: Any note-taking tips for meetings?

Memory trick and similar compound pitfalls

Mnemonic: picture a tiny bridge (the hyphen) connecting note + taking. Without the bridge, the connection looks weaker and readers pause. Use the bridge whenever the pair functions as a single idea.

Keep the hyphen for note-taking, follow-up, and well-known.
Watch evolving compounds: e-mail → email shows how forms can change over time.
When unsure, check a current dictionary or your style guide before fusing or dropping hyphens.

Edit checklist: fix note-taking in 30 seconds

Search for notetaking → replace with note-taking.
If the phrase modifies a noun (before a noun) → hyphenate.
If the sentence describes action → rewrite with take/took notes.
For filenames/tags, follow system conventions; in prose use note-taking.
Standardize in your team's style guide to avoid repeated edits.

FAQ

Is notetaking one word?

No. In standard writing, notetaking as one word is generally incorrect. Use note-taking or take notes.

Can I write note taking as two words?

Two words appears in casual messages, but the hyphenated form is clearer and preferred in formal writing.

Should I hyphenate before a noun?

Yes. When the pair functions as a compound adjective before a noun (note-taking skills), use a hyphen to show the words form one idea.

What if I need a file name or tag?

For filenames or code, use note_taking or follow system rules; in documents and emails, use note-taking for readability.

How do I choose between note-taking and taking notes?

Use note-taking to name the activity or describe a skill. Use taking notes when you want a verb phrase describing the action (she was taking notes).

Want to fix a sentence quickly?

Paste your sentence into a grammar checker to confirm hyphenation and phrasing. Automated tools will flag notetaking and suggest note-taking or a verb rewrite; use the checklist above to decide which replacement fits best.