Thread: Exercise book, notebook, something else?

Here is a pic of what we call "тетрадь" in Russian



It is blank book for doing exercises, working out problems etc. It is probably the single most common item used in all schools. I would like to know what people actually call it both in UK and USA. I've heard it is called an exercise book in UK, but what about USA? Notebook? Something else?

In the U.S. it would be notebook. The notebooks in the U.S. are usually "spiral bound" (have a metal binding.):
http://www.flippingheck.com/uploads/fli ... tebook.jpg

I have one right next to me that says "composition book" on the cover. Notebook is a more common term.

I don't know if they are still common, but when I was in college we had small blank books with blue covers we used for exams. These were called "blue books."

I think the problem is that there is no perfect equivalent since in US schools it is common for exercises and tests to be printed with room on the paper for the student to write in. The other common option is multiple choice tests which have their own standardized answer forms.

Another book students use here is called a "workbook". This is not blank, though. It has problems printed in it and the student fills in the answers. I'm using one of these now to study Russian

I hope that helps

Thanks guys.
Paul, I know about workbooks, but I was specifically interested in the blank variety.

In British schools (might just be scottish schools actually) they're always called 'jotters', but this is a slightly odd word in that it's seen as childish and is only used by teachers, parents and the kids themselves. Everyone else says 'workbooks' or 'notebooks', even when talking about a child's one.

Originally Posted by sperk

In the U.S. it would be notebook. The notebooks in the U.S. are usually "spiral bound" (have a metal binding.):
http://www.flippingheck.com/uploads/fli ... tebook.jpg

I agree with sperk that “notebook” is the best word, at least for AmE.

Just FYI, It creates a very odd impression on Americans that тедтради have paper в клетку, which we usually call “graph paper”. To write compositions on graph paper seems… oh, I don't know know, like a misuse of paper. Silly, I know. But that was my first impression when I saw a тетрадь.

Originally Posted by doninphxaz

Just FYI, It creates a very odd impression on Americans that тедтради have paper в клетку, which we usually call “graph paper”. To write compositions on graph paper seems… oh, I don't know know, like a misuse of paper. Silly, I know. But that was my first impression when I saw a тетрадь.

We have lined ones too, and they are normally used for writing compositions. The ones that have paper with little square on it are mostly used for maths, sciences and other subjects, but not for languages or literature. At least that was the case when I was going to school. It's been a while though.

When I was first in Russian in 1986, it seemed we could only find тетради в клетку. That's what we used for all our work.

Originally Posted by doninphxaz

When I was first in Russian in 1986, it seemed we could only find тетради в клетку.

That was called "дефицит".

And what about copy-book we used to be taught to name тетрадь at school?

Originally Posted by alexB

And what about copy-book we used to be taught to name тетрадь at school?

“Copy book” is antiquated. I don't think we have used that word in AmE for over a hundred years, except maybe in historical novels.

Isn't the word "pad" used in some places, or is that one with no lines at all?

Originally Posted by basurero

Isn't the word "pad" used in some places, or is that one with no lines at all?

Yes, notepad is a synonym for notebook. Often a notepad will be smaller.

Originally Posted by translationsnmru

Thanks guys.
Paul, I know about workbooks, but I was specifically interested in the blank variety.

Ok. I never know what other people know, so I usually give too much information.

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but a "sketch book" is a blank book with no lines in it. They are usually used to practice drawing or other art projects.

Originally Posted by paulb

Yes, notepad is a synonym for notebook. Often a notepad will be smaller.

Not quite. If the the paper is bound along the long edge, it's a notebook. If the paper is bound along the narrow edge, it's a notepad. Notepads are typically smaller than notebooks, and notepads are often bound with some kind of gum/elastic/rubber binding. A notepad is usually made in such a way so that it is easy to remove the top sheet, which is why they often use the gum bindings. We use notebooks for things we study. We use notepads for bits of information that we will need for a short period of time, or to pass on small bits of information to others, like telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, shoppping lists, etc.