Write sb out Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Write sb out” Mean?

“Write sb out” means to officially remove someone from a document or list, often by writing their name out or excluding them.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “Write sb out” is used mostly in formal or administrative contexts. It refers to the act of removing a person from a written record, such as a will, a list, or a contract. Understanding the Write sb out meaning helps learners use it correctly when talking about excluding someone from official documents or decisions. This phrase is less common in everyday speech but important in legal or organizational settings. Learning how to use “Write sb out” can improve your formal English and expand your vocabulary for professional communication.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Write sb out (write somebody out)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2–C1
• Short meaning: To remove someone officially from a document or list

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Write sb out” is a separable transitive phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between “write” and “out” or after the whole phrasal verb.

• Write someone out
• Write out someone

Example: “They wrote him out of the will.” or “They wrote out him of the will.” (The first is more common.)

How to Use Write sb out?

Use “Write sb out” when you want to say that a person has been officially removed from a document, list, or plan. It often implies a decision to exclude someone from inheritance, membership, or participation. This phrase is useful in legal, business, and formal contexts.

Examples

When a family dispute happened, the father decided to write his eldest son out of the will.

• She was written out of the contract after the disagreement.
• The manager wrote him out of the project team due to lack of commitment.
• The committee wrote several members out of the official list.
• In the novel, the author wrote the character out after chapter five.

Write sb out in a sentence: “They wrote her out of the inheritance because she moved abroad.”

Common Mistakes

People often confuse “write sb out” with “write off” or misuse the object placement.

• Incorrect: “They wrote out she from the list.”
• Correct: “They wrote her out of the list.”
• Incorrect: “He wrote off his brother in the will.”
• Correct: “He wrote his brother out of the will.”

Remember, “write sb out” means removal from a document, while “write off” usually means dismissing something as a loss.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include write off and cross sb out. However, they have different meanings:

• Write off: To dismiss or consider something a loss (not to remove a person).
• Cross sb out: To draw a line through a name or word, often informally removing it.
• Write sb out: Officially remove someone from a document or list.

Use “write sb out” for formal removal, while “cross out” is more informal and visual.

Common Collocations

“Write sb out” is often used with words related to documents and membership. Here are common objects:

• Will – a legal document for inheritance
• List – a group or roster of names
• Contract – a formal agreement
• Project – a planned task or assignment
• Record – official information or data

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of write sb out:

• Write Sth Off
• Write Sb Into Sth
• Write Sth Into Sth
• Write Sth In
• Write Sb Off

Real-life Dialogue

Imagine two colleagues discussing a team change:

Anna: Did you hear about Mark? They wrote him out of the project.

Ben: Really? Why?

Anna: Apparently, he wasn’t meeting the deadlines, so the manager decided to exclude him.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form of “write sb out”:

• The company decided to _______ the former employee _______ of the official records.
• After the argument, she was _______ of the will by her father.
• The coach _______ two players _______ of the team for the next match.

FAQ

• What does “write sb out” mean? It means to officially remove someone from a document or list.
• Is “write sb out” separable? Yes, you can put the object between “write” and “out” or after the whole phrase.
• Can I use “write sb out” in casual conversation? It’s mostly used in formal or legal contexts, not very common in casual speech.
• What is the difference between “write sb out” and “write off”? “Write sb out” means to remove someone from a document; “write off” means to dismiss or cancel something.
• Can I use “write sb out” with things other than people? Usually, it refers to people, but sometimes can mean removing items or names from lists.