filling out

USAGE SUMMARY

"filling out" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe completing a form or document. For example, "I am in the process of filling out the necessary forms for my new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- Filling out your ballot at home?

Los Angeles Times

But his feathers were filling out.

Vice

Filling out the questionnaire took an average of 20 minutes.

BMC Health Services Research

Filling out the questionnaire took approximately 20 minutes.

BMC Nephrology

Filling out the questionnaire took no more than 15 minutes.

BMC Health Services Research

"You're filling out, I've noticed.

The New Yorker

Filling out a mortgage form?

The New York Times

Should we be filling out paperwork now?

The New York Times

Now people were filling out their clothes.

The New York Times - Magazine

outreach by filling out a short survey.

University of California, Berkeley

"I'm filling out one of these questionnaires".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the action of completing a form or document, use "filling out" to emphasize the act of providing information in designated spaces. For instance, "He spent the afternoon "filling out" his tax return".

Common error

Avoid confusing "filling out" with "fill in" or "fill up". "Fill in" is used for providing missing information, while "fill up" means to make something full. Using "filling out" ensures clarity when referring to completing a form or document.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filling out" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle, indicating an ongoing action. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the process of completing forms, questionnaires, and applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filling out" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of completing a form, document, or application. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Its frequency is high across various contexts, including news and media, academia, and science. While alternatives like "completing" or "filling in" exist, "filling out" specifically emphasizes the process of providing information in designated spaces. To ensure clarity, avoid confusing it with "fill up", which means to make something full. Use "filling out" with confidence to clearly convey the act of completing forms and documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing

Focuses on finishing or finalizing a task or document; implies a more formal or official context.

filling in

Similar to "filling out", but often used when providing missing information or details.

completing and submitting

Emphasizes both the completion and the act of sending something in, like a form or application.

working through

Implies a process of systematically addressing each part of a task or document.

drawing up

Focuses on the creation and detailed preparation of a document, such as a contract or plan.

fleshing out

Used when adding details and substance to an idea or plan to make it more complete.

populating

Highlights the action of adding information or data to a structured format, such as a database.

drafting

Emphasizes the initial writing or composing of a document.

expanding on

Indicates that more details are being added to an existing piece of information.

building upon

Suggests the gradual development of something by adding successive layers or elements.

FAQs

How can I use "filling out" in a sentence?

You can use "filling out" to describe the action of completing a form or document. For example, "She is currently "filling out" the application for the scholarship."

What's a good alternative to "filling out"?

Alternatives to "filling out" include "completing", "filling in" (if you're adding missing information), or "working through".

Is it grammatically correct to say "filling out"?

Yes, "filling out" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the action of completing a form or application.

What is the difference between "filling out" and "filling in"?

"Filling out" generally refers to completing an entire form or document, while "filling in" usually means providing specific missing information within something.