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write in

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

To send a letter or message to a TV show, newspaper, or official group to say what you think.

Literal meaning: To write something into a space or send writing inward to an organization.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To send a written letter or message to a broadcaster, newspaper, or organization to express an opinion or make a request.

"Hundreds of listeners wrote in to complain about the presenter's comments."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To vote for a candidate who is not on the official ballot by writing their name on the ballot paper.

"Thousands of voters wrote in Mickey Mouse as a protest against the official candidates."

Grammar: separable
3 A2 neutral

To add something by writing it into a blank space in a document or form.

"Please write in your date of birth at the top of the application form."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The 'contact a broadcaster/publication' sense is common in British and American English. The 'write-in candidate' sense is specifically American political vocabulary. Also used to mean adding text or data into a pre-existing form or document.

Commonly used with

show station newspaper candidate form vote

Forms

Base
write in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
writes in
he/she/it
Past simple
wrote in
yesterday
Past participle
written in
have + pp
-ing form
writing in
continuous

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