Some write stuff

Add comment November 11th, 2009

Here’s yet another reminder on the guideline “Two words for verbs, one word or hyphenated for nouns and modifiers.” This time I’ll be writing about “write.”

To vote for someone who isn’t on a ballot, you “write in” that person’s name. The person then becomes a “write-in candidate” or just a “write-in.”

To “write out” is “to put in writing” or “to write in full.” As far as I know, there’s no corresponding noun or modifier — such things are just “written out.”

To “write down” is essentially the same thing, except in accounting. Then, to “write down” is “to reduce the book value of (an asset).” The noun, a “write-down,” is hyphenated.

To “write up” also can mean “to write a record or account of” or “to complete in writing.” But it’s also “to praise in writing,” for which the subject would get a “write-up.”

Unfortunately, getting “written up” also can have a negative connotation. If that happens enough, a person might get “written off” — that is, “dropped from consideration.”

In bookkeeping, to “write off” is generally a good thing (and sometimes it’s even legal): “to cancel or remove from accounts.” “Write-offs” are very popular around tax time.

And that’s enough writing for now. Right on!