writing
writing — noun
1. the particular way a person forms letters when using a pen or pencil, which is u
the particular way a person forms letters when using a pen or pencil, which is unique enough that others can recognize who wrote something
Defne's writing is so neat that everyone compliments her notes.
possessive + writing for recognizing style
Leo recognised his grandmother's writing on the envelope before opening it.
The bank teller checked the writing on the cheque against the customer's signature.
Benjamin's writing became much clearer after he slowed down and practised each letter.
Ritu noticed that the writing on the old postcard matched her aunt's style perfectly.
- handwriting
more common term for the physical act and style of writing by hand
- pennanship
older or more formal term for handwriting skill, less common in everyday speech
- script
focuses on the type of letter forms used, such as cursive or print
文法句型
possessive + writing
用法筆記
Uncountable. Refers to the physical appearance of letters, not the content of what is written. Frequently used with a possessive (her writing, his writing).
常見錯誤
2. marks made with a pen, pencil, printer, or other tool on paper or another surfac
marks made with a pen, pencil, printer, or other tool on paper or another surface, forming words or messages that people can read
There was strange writing on the wall that nobody could explain.
there is + writing + preposition phrase
Élise found some faded writing on the back of the old photograph.
The writing on the sign was too faded for Joaquín to read from a distance.
Omar noticed tiny writing at the bottom of the receipt showing the store's policy.
Nikhil copied the writing from the whiteboard into his notebook during the lecture.
- text
more general; can refer to printed or digital words as well as handwritten ones
- words
emphasises the linguistic content rather than the visual marks
- inscription
formal term for writing carved or engraved on a hard surface
文法句型
there is + writing + preposition
writing + on + surface
用法筆記
Uncountable. Focuses on the visible text itself, not the meaning or the style. Distinguish from sense 1 (HANDWRITING STYLE): this sense is about the words that are on the page, not how they look.
常見錯誤
3. stories, poems, articles, and similar texts that belong to a single author or a
stories, poems, articles, and similar texts that belong to a single author or a specific group, commonly examined as a body of work or tradition
The course covers the writing of women in 19th-century Japan.
the writing of + group
Eitan's essay explores the writing of immigrant communities in New York.
Antonia discovered a rich tradition of travel writing from the Silk Road region.
The anthology presents the best Caribbean writing from the past fifty years.
Tamar's dissertation analyses the political writing that emerged after the revolution.
- works
often used in plural; can include non-literary works such as art or music
- literature
broader term for written works of lasting artistic value
- oeuvre
formal term from French for the complete body of an artist's work
文法句型
the writing of + group/period
possessive + writing
用法筆記
Uncountable. Often modified by a place, period, or group name ('African writing', 'Victorian writing'). Distinguish from sense 7 (PUBLISHED COLLECTION): this sense can include unpublished work and is broader in scope.
常見錯誤
4. the activity or job of creating books, articles, stories, or other texts, either
the activity or job of creating books, articles, stories, or other texts, either as a profession or a personal practice
Benjamin spends every morning doing creative writing in his study.
do + [adjective] + writing
After years in journalism, Kofi decided to focus on travel writing full-time.
focus on + [type] + writing
Hyun took a course on academic writing to help with her research papers.
The workshop on science writing was fully booked within a week of opening.
Defne started freelance writing for a local magazine after finishing university.
- composition
more formal; often used in academic contexts for the act of writing an essay or piece
- authorship
formal term for the profession or act of being a writer
- drafting
focuses on the early stage of producing written work before revision
文法句型
do + writing
focus on + writing
writing + noun (e.g. writing class)
用法筆記
Uncountable. Commonly appears in compound nouns describing a type or field of writing ('business writing', 'fiction writing'). Distinguish from sense 5 (FORMING LETTERS): this sense involves composing ideas, not the physical act of forming letters.
常見錯誤
5. the basic ability or act of producing letters and words by hand using a pen, pen
the basic ability or act of producing letters and words by hand using a pen, pencil, or similar tool on a surface
The children practice writing every morning by copying letters into their books.
practice + writing
Ryo's younger sister is learning writing and counting at preschool.
learning + writing + and + [other basic skill]
This app helps beginners improve their writing through simple tracing games.
Otis taught his son writing by having him trace letters in a tray of sand.
Good writing starts with holding a pencil in a comfortable way.
- handwriting
often used interchangeably for the physical act in educational contexts
- letter formation
more technical term used by teachers for how letters are shaped
- penmanship
older, more formal term for the skill of writing by hand
文法句型
learn + writing
practice + writing
reading and writing
用法筆記
Uncountable. Commonly paired with 'reading' as paired literacy skills. Distinguish from sense 4 (WRITING WORK): this sense is about the mechanical skill of forming characters, not the creative or professional act of composing texts.
常見錯誤
6. information recorded using letters or symbols on paper or in a document so that
information recorded using letters or symbols on paper or in a document so that it can be kept as a record, rather than communicated only by speech
The manager asked Ari to put the complaint in writing for the team.
put + [object] + in writing
Ritu prefers to receive instructions in writing rather than over the phone.
in writing (prepositional phrase)
Eitan needed the agreement in writing before he would sign the contract.
The landlord agreed to confirm the changes in writing after the phone call.
Having the job offer in writing gave Hyun peace of mind about starting the position.
文法句型
put + something + in writing
have + something + in writing
in writing
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed prepositional phrase 'in writing'. This sense does not normally appear as a subject or object outside that phrase.
常見錯誤
7. the published books, essays, and articles of a particular author, treated as a c
the published books, essays, and articles of a particular author, treated as a collection or body of work
The library has a special section for the writings of Charles Dickens and his contemporaries.
the writings of + person
Élise studied the early writings of the philosopher before his time in exile.
Kofi's university published a collection of scientific writings by Nobel Prize winners.
The anthology brings together the political writings of 20th-century activists from around the world.
Ari discovered a volume of lesser-known writings by the poet in a second-hand bookshop.
- collected works
more formal; explicitly suggests a published compilation
- oeuvre
French loanword for the complete body of work by an artist or writer
- output
more neutral term for the total work produced, not necessarily published
文法句型
the writings of + person
possessive + writings
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the plural form 'writings' to refer to collected published works. Distinguish from sense 3 (LITERARY WORKS): this sense specifically refers to works that have been published as books, whereas sense 3 is broader and can include unpublished material.