What Does “Write sth out of sth” Mean?
“Write sth out of sth” means to remove something completely from a piece of writing or a story.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Write sth out of sth” is commonly used in writing, editing, and storytelling. It means to delete or leave out a part of a text or a story during the writing or editing process. This phrase is useful when you want to talk about removing characters, events, or information from a script, book, or any written work. Understanding the “Write sth out of sth” meaning helps learners express how to edit texts clearly and naturally in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Write something out of something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To remove a part from a written text
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Write sth out of sth” is a separable phrasal verb. The object (something) can come between “write” and “out,” or after the full phrasal verb.
- Write something out of something
- Write out something of something (less common)
Example patterns:
- Write the character out of the story.
- She wrote the paragraph out of her essay.
How to Use Write sth out of sth?
Use “Write sth out of sth” when talking about editing or rewriting texts by removing parts. It is common in creative writing, script editing, or any form of textual revision. The phrase focuses on the action of taking something away during the writing process.
Examples
Here are some examples to show how to use “Write sth out of sth in a sentence”:
- The author decided to write the villain out of the novel to make the story more positive.
- After feedback, the editor asked the writer to write the unnecessary scenes out of the screenplay.
- She wrote the confusing paragraph out of her report to improve clarity.
- They wrote the outdated policy out of the company handbook.
- He wrote several characters out of the script to shorten the play.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes, learners confuse the phrase with similar verbs or use it incorrectly in a sentence. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: I wrote out the character from the story.
Correct: I wrote the character out of the story. - Incorrect: She writes out of the paragraph the mistakes.
Correct: She writes the mistakes out of the paragraph.
Remember, the object usually comes between “write” and “out.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Write sth out of sth” is similar to “cut sth out of sth” or “remove sth from sth,” but it specifically relates to writing or editing texts.
- Cut sth out of sth: More general; can be used for physical or digital removal.
- Remove sth from sth: Broader meaning, not limited to writing.
- Write sth out of sth: Focuses on the act of editing by deleting parts of a written work.
Common Collocations
You will often hear “write sth out of sth” with these common objects:
- Character – Removing a person from a story.
- Paragraph – Deleting a section of text.
- Scene – Taking out a part of a play or screenplay.
- Section – Removing a part of a larger written work.
- Sentence – Editing or deleting specific sentences.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of write sth out of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “write sth out of sth”:
Anna: The story feels too long. Should we cut some parts?
Ben: Yes, maybe we can write the extra scenes out of the script.
Anna: Good idea. It will make the story clearer.
Practice
Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of “write sth out of sth”:
- The editor asked me to ______ the confusing paragraph ______ the article.
- We decided to ______ one character ______ the play to shorten it.
- She ______ several sentences ______ her essay to improve flow.
FAQ
- Q: Can I use “write out of” without the object?
A: No, it needs an object to be clear. - Q: Is “write sth out of sth” formal?
A: It is common in both informal and formal writing contexts. - Q: Can I say “write out of the story”?
A: It’s better to say “write [something] out of the story.” - Q: Does it only apply to stories?
A: No, it can be used for any written text. - Q: Is it separable?
A: Yes, the object usually comes between “write” and “out.”
