[General] Write sth down Vs Write sth out

[Tramper]

Hello.



What's the difference between both of them?


I am confused about in which situation I should use them.




I would like to thank you all of teachers for supporting English learners.



P.s: I would appreciate if you could correct/proofread sentences that sound awkward or unnatural.

 

[SirGod]

*Not a teacher

write down

1. To set down in writing.
2. To reduce in rank, value, or price.
3. To disparage in writing.
4. To write in a conspicuously simple or condescending style: felt he had to write down to his students.

write out

1. To express or compose in writing: write out a request.
2. To write in full or expanded form: All abbreviations are to be written out.

Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/write

 

[Tdol]

*Not a teacher

write down

1. To set down in writing.
2. To reduce in rank, value, or price.
3. To disparage in writing.
4. To write in a conspicuously simple or condescending style: felt he had to write down to his students.

write out

1. To express or compose in writing: write out a request.
2. To write in full or expanded form: All abbreviations are to be written out.

Source: write - definition of write by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

Please give URL/source when quoting things. Thanks

 

[konungursvia]

Write out means to write something you already know, for someone else. Write down means to write something you are hearing, but don't know, so you can remember it later.

 

[freezeframe]

Write out means to write something you already know, for someone else. Write down means to write something you are hearing, but don't know, so you can remember it later.

Hm...

What about, "Can you write down your phone number for me?" One assumes I know my phone number.

 

[AlexAD]

I think it was a nice touch by konungursvia though that needs a little bit correction:

Write out means to write something you already know, for someone else. Write down means to write something you/somebody are hearing, but don't know, so you/they can remember it later.

 

[freezeframe]

Write out means to write something you already know, for someone else. Write down means to write something you/somebody are hearing, but don't know, so you/they can remember it later.

I disagree with this even. :-(

I think SirGod's post gave the most general definition of "set down in writing".

You don't need to hear something to write it down. And I don't think whether someone present knows it or not is relevant. If we're brainstorming ideas, we can all write them down on the flip chart or whatever...

 

[AlexAD]

I am not a teacher nor a native speaker

freezeframe, I understand what you are getting at and I do agree with you that the definition given isn't strict, but despite this ... I liked it because it explained the essence of the difference to me at ease. That was the reason I voted for it.

 

[Tramper]

Thank you for all of your support !


I deeply appreciate it ^^