"Write" and "Write down"

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emogen

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Hi everybody!

I would like to know the difference between "Write" and "Write down".
Look this sentence:
[FONT=&quot]Write down as many words starting with 's' as you can.

[/FONT]
Could I write this sentence as below (without "down")?[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Write as many words starting with 's' as you can.[/FONT]

When do I use "write" or "write down"?

Thanks for your help!
 

White Hat

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I'd use "write it down" in a situation like this: "Here is the phone number. Please write it down."

"write down" emanates a sense of urgency or implies that something is actually put down on a piece of paper.

"write": He used to write short stories. (create something rather than just write words on paper)

So we use "write down" when it's important to transfer words onto paper. We can use "write" in that context too, but it's also often used in a broader sense.
 

emogen

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Perfect Bennevis!

Now I can understand the difference!

Thank you so much!
 
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