write in

send a letter or message to an organisation to share your opinion

B2

What does "write in" mean?

To 'write in' means to contact a media organisation, publication, or public forum by sending a letter, email, or message — usually to share your opinion, ask a question, or respond to something. It is especially common in British English, where radio and TV presenters often invite their audiences to participate this way. The key idea is voluntary, public participation rather than private correspondence: you are one of many people reaching out to the same organisation. Because the action is directed at a destination ('to the show', 'to us') or carries a purpose ('with your questions', 'to complain'), these prepositional phrases often follow the verb. The overall tone is informal and participatory, closely tied to broadcast media and newspaper letters pages.

Examples

How to use it

write in + to + organisation

Use 'to' followed by the destination to show who or what you are writing to.

Dozens of readers wrote in to the newspaper to share their experiences.

write in + with + content

Use 'with' to indicate what the writer is sending — questions, comments, feedback, etc.

If you'd like to know more, write in with your questions and we'll answer them on air.

write in + to-infinitive (purpose)

A purpose clause with 'to' explains why the person is writing in.

Many viewers wrote in to express their support for the new format.

write in + about + topic

Use 'about' to specify the subject of the message.

Listeners have been writing in about last week's debate all morning.

imperative: write in + ...

The imperative is natural when a presenter or editor is directly inviting the audience to respond.

Write in and tell us what you think — we want to hear from you.

Common Collocations

write in to a radio showwrite in to complainwrite in with your commentswrite in to a newspaperwrite in with questionswrite in to express your views

Common Mistakes

Adding a direct object

'Write in' is intransitive, so it cannot take a direct object. Learners sometimes try to insert a noun directly after 'in', but this produces an unnatural sentence. Use a prepositional phrase instead.

✗ She wrote in a letter to complain about the programme.
✓ She wrote in to complain about the programme.
Confusing 'write in' with 'write to'

'Write to' is used for direct, often personal or formal correspondence with a named individual or organisation. 'Write in' implies voluntary public participation — for example, contacting a radio show or a newspaper letters page as part of an audience.

✗ I wrote to the radio show to share my opinion on the topic.
✓ I wrote in to the radio show to share my opinion on the topic.
Using it in the American English voting sense

In American English, 'write in' can mean adding an unlisted candidate's name to a ballot. This is a different sense with a direct object ('write in a candidate'). In British English media contexts, 'write in' is always intransitive and refers to audience correspondence.

Usage

This phrasal verb is especially common in British English media contexts, where presenters invite audiences to participate. It sounds natural with 'to' (indicating destination) or 'with' (indicating content): 'Write in to us' or 'Write in with your questions.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'write in' mainly British English?

Yes, this sense of 'write in' is strongly associated with British English, particularly in the context of radio, TV, and print media. British presenters routinely say things like 'Write in and let us know what you think.' While speakers of other varieties of English would understand it, it feels most at home in British media culture.

Does 'write in' always involve an actual letter?

Not necessarily. Although the verb comes from the era of physical letters, it is now used for any written contact — including emails and online messages. The important thing is that the communication is directed at an organisation or public forum, not a specific individual.

Can I use 'write in' without saying where I'm writing to?

Yes, the destination or purpose is optional and is often clear from context. In a broadcast setting, a presenter might simply say 'Write in and tell us what you think' without needing to specify the show or channel, because the audience already knows who they would be contacting.

What kinds of organisations do people typically 'write in' to?

Radio shows, TV programmes, newspapers, and magazines are the most typical destinations. The verb collocates strongly with media and public forums — for example, 'write in to a radio show', 'write in to the editor', or 'write in with feedback for the programme'. It is less natural in formal or bureaucratic contexts.

Can 'write in' describe a single person writing, or is it mainly used for groups?

It works for both, but it often implies a collective or mass action — 'listeners who write in', 'hundreds of viewers wrote in'. When used for a single person, it still carries the sense that they are participating in a broader public forum, not just having a private exchange.

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