write

/raɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /raɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrīt/ (ame, mw)

write — verb

  • writepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • writeshe / she / it
  • wrotepast simple
  • writtenpast participle
  • writing-ing form

1. to produce written text by moving a pen across a page or pressing keys, so that

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

to produce written text by moving a pen across a page or pressing keys, so that the marks that appear can be seen and understood by others.

例句

Aaron wrote his name at the top of the first page in blue ink.

write + noun phrase (object of writing)

The teacher asked the children to write each new word three times.

passive structure: ask + object + to-write

同義詞
  • scribble

    to write quickly or carelessly, often in a way that is hard to read

  • jot down

    to write something quickly, especially a note or piece of information

  • note

    to write something down so that you remember it; more deliberate than jot

反義詞
  • erase

    to remove written marks from a surface

  • read

    to look at written words and understand them, the complementary opposite action

文法句型

write + noun phrase

write + adverb/prepositional phrase

write down + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with a direct object (write a letter, write your name). When no object is given, the context is usually about the physical activity itself (She is learning to write). The phrasal verb write down means to record information on paper so that it is not forgotten.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote a word in the paper.
✅I wrote a word on the paper.
💡We write on a surface, not in it (unless 'in' refers to a notebook).
❌Please write it with a pencil.
✅Please write it in pencil.
💡Use 'in' for the material (pencil, ink) and 'with' for the tool (a pen, a pencil).

2. to get in touch with someone through a written message — a letter, an email, or

2.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to get in touch with someone through a written message — a letter, an email, or a note — so that you can tell them your news or share what you are thinking about.

例句

Kofi wrote to his grandmother every Sunday when he studied in Canada.

intransitive: write to + person (recipient)

Jisoo wrote a long email about her new life in Seoul and sent it to her family.

coordinate verbs: wrote + [email] + sent + to [recipient]

同義詞
  • correspond

    to exchange letters regularly; more formal than write

  • drop a line

    informal; to send a short letter or message to someone

  • message

    to send someone a short written message, especially by phone or computer

文法句型

write + to + person

write + someone + a letter

write + that-clause

用法筆記

When the recipient is mentioned, use to (write to someone). In British English it is also possible to say write someone (without to) in formal contexts, but write to someone is the standard pattern for learners. American English commonly uses write someone.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote her a letter last week, but she didn't reply.' (correct usage) — This is fine. The mistake is: ❌ 'I wrote to her a letter.
✅I wrote a letter to her.
💡The object (a letter) goes before to + recipient.

3. to put the necessary personal or factual details onto an official document such

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

to put the necessary personal or factual details onto an official document such as a form, cheque, or application.

例句

Dewi wrote her phone number on the application form in black ink.

write + information + on + document

Please write your full address in capital letters on the first line.

imperative + instruction format

同義詞
  • fill in

    to complete a form by adding the required information; more common in British English

  • fill out

    same as fill in but more common in American English

  • complete

    more formal; to finish writing all the necessary details on a document

文法句型

write + noun phrase (information) + in/on + document

用法筆記

This sense is commonly used with documents that require specific pieces of information (forms, cheques, applications). The preposition on is used for the document itself (on the form), while in is used for a specific area of the document (in the box, in the space provided).

常見錯誤

❌I wrote my name in the form.
✅I wrote my name on the form.
💡For the document as a whole, use on.
❌Write a cheque of $100.
✅Write a cheque for $100.
💡The amount follows for.

4. to bring into existence a new piece of creative or technical work — for example,

4.動詞及物A2
釋義

to bring into existence a new piece of creative or technical work — for example, a novel, song lyrics, or software code — by arranging words, musical symbols, or programming instructions.

例句

Mathieu wrote a short song for his sister's birthday celebration.

write + song + for + person (recipient)

Esme is writing a computer program that sorts family photos by date.

present continuous: write + computer program + relative clause

同義詞
  • compose

    more formal; to create music, poetry, or formal writing

  • draft

    to write a preliminary version of something that will be improved later

  • author

    to be the writer of a book, article, or report; formal

文法句型

write + noun phrase (a book, a song, a poem, code)

用法筆記

When the object is a piece of creative work (book, poem, song, software), this sense focuses on the act of composing original content. For musical works, write covers both lyrics and instrumental composition. For computer programs, write code is the standard expression.

常見錯誤

❌ 'She wrote a story for the newspaper.' — This is correct, but note that for newspaper articles, sense 1 (the physical act) and sense 4 (composing) overlap. Use sense 4 when the focus is on the creative process, not the medium.

❌I wrote the test yesterday.
✅I took the test yesterday.
💡Write means to create, not to sit an exam.

5. to spend your time or earn your living producing text — like novels, news articl

5.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to spend your time or earn your living producing text — like novels, news articles, or short stories — that appears in print or online for people to read.

例句

Lakshmi writes about science for a popular monthly magazine.

write about [topic] + for [publication]

Aaron writes crime stories that take place in a small Scottish town.

write + genre + relative clause describing setting

同義詞
  • be an author

    a person who writes books professionally; more formal than 'writer'

  • be a journalist

    a person who writes for newspapers or magazines as a job

  • contribute to

    to write articles for a newspaper, magazine, or website occasionally

文法句型

write + for + publication

write + about + topic

write + genre

用法筆記

This sense is intransitive — the object is not the text being written (which belongs to sense 4), but rather the field, genre, or publication. Use for to name the publication (write for a newspaper), about to name the topic (write about politics), or name the genre directly (write poetry, write novels).

常見錯誤

❌He writes for a living.' — Correct. But note: ❌ 'He writes a living.
✅He writes for a living.
💡The expression is for a living, not as a direct object.

6. used to report what a particular book, article, document, or notice says or clai

6.動詞及物B2
釋義

used to report what a particular book, article, document, or notice says or claims in its written content.

例句

The guidebook writes that the museum opens at nine in the morning.

write + that-clause (reporting content)

The article writes that eating too much processed sugar poses serious health risks.

write + that-clause (reporting from a document / formal register)

同義詞
  • state

    to express something clearly and formally in writing; more common than write for this sense

  • say

    the most common verb for reporting the content of a written source; less formal than state

  • claim

    to state something that may not be proven; used when the writer is reporting but not agreeing

文法句型

write + that-clause

it is written + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense is most common in formal or published contexts. Unlike sense 1 or 2, the subject is a text or document, not a person. The passive form it is written that... is common in formal and legal English. Use says or states instead of writes in everyday conversation for the same meaning.

常見錯誤

❌The book writes that...' — This is correct in formal English. However, ❌ 'The book writes about...' is less common;
✅say or state is preferred: 'The book says that...' or 'The book states that...'.

7. to save or record information onto a computer's storage device, such as a hard d

7.動詞及物B1
釋義

to save or record information onto a computer's storage device, such as a hard drive, memory card, or USB stick, so that it can be retrieved later.

例句

The camera writes each photo directly onto a small memory card.

device subject: writes + data + onto [location]

Joon wrote the data to an external drive for extra safety.

write + data + to [location] (purpose clause)

同義詞
  • save

    more common in everyday use; to store data so that it is not lost

  • record

    to store audio, video, or data onto a device for later use

  • burn

    to write data to a CD or DVD using a laser; informal

反義詞
  • delete

    to remove data from a storage device

  • erase

    to remove all data from a storage device; more thorough than delete

  • read

    to access data from a storage device; the complementary operation

文法句型

write + data + to + storage device

用法筆記

The computing sense of write uses to (write to a disk) or onto (write onto a drive), not on. The noun write in computing (as in disk write) is a related technical term. The more common everyday word for this action is save; write is more technical.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote the photos on the CD.
✅I wrote the photos to the CD.
💡In computing, the preposition is to or onto, not on.
❌I wrote a backup.' (ambiguous)
✅I wrote the backup to the external hard drive.
💡Specify the destination to avoid confusion with other senses.