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Phrasal verbs with write pop up everywhere, from emails and texts to work and everyday chat. They can look simple, but the meanings are not always obvious. This quick guide breaks down the most common ones with clear meanings and examples, so ESL and EFL learners can sound more natural without overthinking it.
What does ‘write’ mean?
The word ‘write‘ can mean many different things. As a verb, the meaning is to put letters on paper with a pen or to compose.
For example:
- Sienna is writting a birthday card for her best friend. (put pen to paper)
- I wrote this song just for you. (compose)
Write is an irregular verb. The past tense is wrote and the past participle is written.
phrasal verbs with write list
Below is a clear, easy-to-follow list of the most common phrasal verbs with write, with simple meanings and picture examples to make each one easier to remember and use.
write back
meaning – to reply to someone who has written to you
example – I wrote to my cousin last week, but she hasn’t written back yet.
write down
meaning – to record information on paper or digitally
example – I wrote down three pages of notes from today’s lecture.
write for
meaning – produce written content for a person, organisation, website, magazine, or newspaper
example – Joseph writes for a popular food blog. He’s very good at it.
write in
meaning – send a letter, email, or message to an organisation or media outlet
example – Miss Matthews has written in asking whether it is acceptable to smack children.
write off
meaning – to cancel a debt, declare a total loss, or dismiss as unimportant or hopeless
example – Since you worked for me all weekend, I will write off your debt.
write on
meaning – to continue writing, or write something on a surface
example – Don’t stop now, write on while the idea is fresh.
write out
meaning – write something in full, or remove a character from a TV show
example – They’ve written Harry out of my favourite series. The actor is sick in real life.
write over
meaning – replace or cover existing writing by writing new text on top of it
example – Be careful not to write over the original file, or you’ll lose it.
write to
meaning – to send someone a letter, email, or message
example – I need to write to my old teacher to thank her for the recommendation.
write up
meaning – write the finished/complete version
example – I’ll write up the notes from the meeting ASAP and send an email around.
conclusion
So there you go. A whole bunch of phrasal verbs with write that you’ll actually see, hear, and use in real life, not just in dusty grammar books. If you can write up notes, write to someone, write back politely, and avoid accidentally writing over something important, you’re already doing pretty well. Try using a couple of these in your own sentences, because that’s when they really stick, and before you know it, they’ll feel completely natural.
Related English Topics
If you want to keep going, there are plenty of related English topics that fit nicely alongside phrasal verbs with write. You could explore English idioms and what they really mean, practise prepositions in everyday English, learn common English proverbs and when to use them, or head to the phrasal verbs page for even more useful verb combinations. All of these topics help you sound more natural and confident in real, everyday English.