Revised as of
14 July 2023
It is a confusion, but primarily one of verb tense. Write and writes are present tense. Wrote (and writ) are the past tense version of write.
Writing is both noun and verb with the verb a present participle, i.e., it’s present tense using an -ing ending.
Written is a past tense, specifically the past participle, albeit with an irregular ending.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end. Consider sharing this Word Confusion with friends by tweeting it.
Write | Writing | Written |
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Part of Grammar: | ||
Verb, intransitive & transitive | Morpheme: write
Noun; Verb, intransitive & transitive |
Morpheme: write
Verb, intransitive & transitive |
Gerund: writing
Third person present verb: writes |
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Verb, intransitive: Mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement
Compose, write, and send (a letter) to someone Compose (a text or work) for written or printed reproduction or publication
Verb, transitive:
Compose, write, and send (a letter) to someone [Chiefly North American] Write and send a letter to (someone)
Compose (a text or work) for written or printed reproduction or publication
[Computing] Enter data into a specified storage medium or location in store Underwrite an insurance policy |
See the leftmost column for the intransitive and transitive verb definitions for writing.
Noun: The activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text
Written work, especially with regard to its style or quality
A sequence of letters, words, or symbols marked on paper or some other surface
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See the leftmost column for the intransitive and transitive verb definitions for written. |
Examples: | ||
Verb, intransitive: He wrote very neatly in blue ink. And that’s all she wrote, folks. He couldn’t read or write. She writes a beautiful hand. Paul wrote almost every day. Verb, transitive: He wrote under a pseudonym. Mother wrote me and told me about poor Simon’s death. If you want to learn more, write in with your query. I didn’t know you wrote poetry. “If I could write the beauty of your eyes, / And in fresh numbers number all your graces,” – William Shakespeare, Sonnet XVII It’s nothing to write home about. I get annoyed with authors who write down to their readers. Janet’s granny will write her off, you’ll see. Now, will you write her up!?! |
Noun: Parents want schools to concentrate on reading, writing, and arithmetic. She made a decent living from writing. The writing is straightforward and accessible. He was introduced to the writings of Gertrude Stein. She carried this leather briefcase with gold writing on it. Doctors must take a special course in incomprehensible writing. Verb, intransitive: There are people who cannot read or write. She wrote for most of her adult life. Please write while you are away. Verb, transitive: I think he’s writing a complaint out. She’s writing her name? She’s been writing five pages an hour. |
Verb, intransitive: It’s an invisible message written in lemon juice. What has Georgie written about now? He had written about the beauty of Andalucia. Verb, transitive: Amesco has underwritten the ship policy. He had written his name on the paper. Had Alice written down the address? The check was written for $800. Helen had written a letter to Elizabeth. Every bit of code we’ve written will have to be redone. Ah, geez, it’s written all over your face! Well, it’s not like it’s written in stone. |
Derivatives: | ||
Adjective: self-writing, unwriting, writable Noun: handwriting, writing Verb: miswrite, miswriting, miswritten, miswrote |
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Phrasal Verb | ||
write something down write someone in write something off write something up |
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History of the Word: | ||
Old English wrītan, meaning score, form (letters) by carving, write, is of Germanic origin and related to the German reissen meaning sketch or drag. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Write vs Writing vs Written
Apple Dictionary.com
The Free Dictionary: write
Pinterest Photo Credits
Stanza 135.2 to be Revised and Go on the Square is under the Public Domain Mark 1.0 license, via Gary Stockbridge and courtesy of the New York Public Library.