write up
produce a finished piece of writing from notes or rough work
What does "write sth up" mean?
Examples
- I still need to write up my notes from the conference before the deadline.
- She wrote up the experiment and submitted it to her supervisor.
- The data has been collected — it just needs to be written up properly.
How to use it
The most common pattern, used when turning notes, data, or findings into a finished document.
She spent the evening writing up her research notes into a coherent chapter.
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'write' and 'up' — it cannot follow the particle.
I've collected all the data — I just need to write it up now.
Short noun phrases can naturally be placed between the verb and particle for emphasis or variety.
Can you write the minutes up before Thursday's meeting?
The passive is very natural, especially when the focus is on the document rather than the person producing it.
The case study was written up and included in the final report.
Commonly used with modal-like expressions to describe a task that still needs to be completed.
I still have to write up my observations from the field trip.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
'Write down' means to quickly record something in the moment, such as during a meeting or lecture. 'Write up' happens afterwards, when you turn that rough material into a complete, polished piece of writing.
When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'write' and 'up'. Placing it after the particle is ungrammatical in English.
'Write up' implies a drafting and polishing process, not just copying text by hand. If the meaning is about writing something out in full by hand, 'write out' is the more accurate choice.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works equally well in academic essays, professional emails, and everyday conversation. Remember that pronoun objects must go between the verb and particle: say 'write it up', never 'write up it'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'write up' always need an object?
Yes, this sense of 'write up' always needs an object, either stated or very clear from context. Saying 'I need to write up' without any prior context sounds incomplete. It's more natural to say 'I need to write it up' or 'I need to write up my notes'.
What kinds of things can you 'write up'?
Typically, you write up notes, reports, findings, results, summaries, case studies, minutes, research, or observations. The object is usually something that started as rough or preliminary material and is being turned into something finished and organised.
Is there a noun form of 'write up'?
Yes — 'write-up' (usually hyphenated) is a very common noun used in the same contexts. You might say 'the write-up of the experiment' in academic work, or 'a great write-up' in a journalistic context. It often appears where the phrasal verb itself would be used.
Can 'write up' be used in the passive?
Yes, and it is actually very common in the passive, especially in academic and professional writing. For example: 'The findings were written up and submitted for review.' The passive is natural when the focus is on the document rather than who produced it.
I've seen 'write up' used to mean a positive review of a restaurant or film — is that the same meaning?
No, that is a different sense of 'write up'. The journalistic meaning refers to producing a favourable article or review about something. This entry covers only the meaning of turning rough notes or raw material into a finished piece of writing. Context and the surrounding words usually make it clear which sense is intended.
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