already written off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already written off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been dismissed, disregarded, or considered a loss prior to the current moment. Example: "After reviewing the financial reports, the company decided that the investment was already written off as a failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I didn't need to be already written off, because that is what it felt like.

The Guardian

Already written off weeks ago, could the wily Scotsman Ernie Merrick mastermind another win over the club he loves to beat?

The Guardian - Sport

Needless to say, the National Landlords Association has reacted with horror and it is already written off as a political move to win votes.

The Guardian

The earlier version said ministers had admitted that they had already written off at least £140m on failed IT systems for the universal credit project.

The Guardian

There, in front of an ecstatic gallery and what is perennially the largest television audience of the year for a golf tournament, Nicklaus — already written off as washed-up — went ahead and won the Masters.

The New York Times - Sports

Although his command was already "written off", Kesselring intended to fight.

Wikipedia

"Death and taxes, sure," she said, "but dead people shouldn't be paying debt that the credit card companies have already written off".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

On the other hand, Mr. Rudloff added, many Wyoming residents have already written off Cheyenne, believing that the city has fallen off the map already and into Colorado.

The New York Times

Roma is alive and well, defying those who had already written off its season.

The New York Times - Sports

This is unlikely as there are other Democrats in addition to the already written-off Lieberman, including Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, who is threatening to vote against cloture.

Huffington Post

But it has been beset by IT problems, with £40m of expenditure on new systems already written off.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the perspective: who is doing the writing off? This can significantly impact the tone and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "already written off" too casually. Overusing it can create a negative impression of prematurely dismissing potentially recoverable assets or situations. Be mindful of whether the context genuinely warrants such a decisive declaration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already written off" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something has been previously assessed and deemed a loss or failure. This phrase is commonly used to express a past action that has present implications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already written off" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that something has been previously regarded as a loss or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and financial discussions. When using this phrase, consider the context and the intended audience, avoiding overuse to maintain a balanced and objective tone. Alternatives like "already dismissed" or "deemed a lost cause" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

written off as a failure

Specifically frames the subject as having failed, rather than merely being dismissed.

already dismissed

Focuses on the act of dismissing or rejecting something, omitting the financial implication of "written off".

taken as a loss

Implies acceptance of a negative outcome or failure.

already disregarded

Emphasizes the act of ignoring or neglecting something, removing the finality implied by "written off".

dismissed out of hand

Suggests a quick and immediate rejection without careful consideration.

already counted out

Implies that someone or something is no longer considered a viable option or contender.

considered a sunk cost

Focuses on the economic aspect that further investment is unlikely to recover the initial outlay.

already given up on

Highlights the act of losing hope or abandoning something, with a slightly more personal tone.

deemed a lost cause

More formal, referring to something being considered irredeemable or beyond help.

regarded as hopeless

Emphasizes the lack of any positive prospects or chances of success.

FAQs

What does "already written off" mean?

The phrase "already written off" means that something has been dismissed, disregarded, or considered a loss prior to the current moment. It can refer to financial assets, opportunities, or even people's chances.

How to use "already written off" in a sentence?

You can use "already written off" to indicate that something has been dismissed or is no longer considered viable, such as, "The project was "written off as a failure" after the first phase failed".

What can I say instead of "already written off"?

You can use alternatives like "already dismissed", "already disregarded", or "deemed a lost cause" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "already written off" and "considered a loss"?

"Already written off" often implies a formal acknowledgment of a loss, especially in financial contexts. "Considered a loss" is a more general term, indicating that something is regarded as no longer recoverable or beneficial, but it might not necessarily involve a formal accounting procedure.