made in writing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made in writing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something must be documented or recorded in written form, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "All agreements must be made in writing to be considered valid and enforceable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

■ Requests must be dated and made in writing.

The Guardian - Money

Requests must be made in writing no later than 30 days after the last day of the tournament.

The New York Times

Call it a creative decision, not unlike the kinds of creative decisions made in writing songs or speeches.

The New Yorker

To Chase he offered the officious excuse that any request for an opinion had to be made in writing.

The New York Times

The only major mistake that Mr. Sergel made in writing the adaptation was having an onstage narrator, the adult Jean Louise Nisi Sturgiss).

The New York Times

Mr. Geithner's comment was made in writing to the Senate Finance Committee hours before it voted 18 to 5 to recommend that the full Senate confirm him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The association of the song with the state is also made in written works of both fiction and non-fiction.

Wikipedia

Toward the end of 2009, the President continued to struggle with the hard compromises he would have to make in writing his budget and planning initiatives for the new year.

The New Yorker

To assume the alternative to Puritanism was liberal democracy, and not something like the Heart of Darkness, is the easiest mistake to make in writing about the early American settlers.

The New York Times - Books

Zimmerman (2000) posited that learners make more revisions when they are writing in their L2 than in their L1; hence, providing pre-task planning might help decrease the number of revisions made in L2 writing.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

A senior Arsenal official said: "The offer was made formally in writing to our chief executive (Ivan Gazidis), and we said no straight away".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity and legal validity are crucial, ensure agreements or requests are "made in writing" to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't rely on verbal agreements when formal documentation is necessary. Always ensure critical decisions and agreements are "made in writing" to prevent future disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made in writing" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has been formally documented or expressed through written means. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from legal requests to formal agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made in writing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that something is formally documented. As indicated by Ludwig, it is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts where clarity and legal validity are important. To avoid ambiguity, always ensure critical agreements are "made in writing". Alternatives include "documented in written form" or "expressed in writing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By using "made in writing" correctly, you enhance the precision and reliability of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documented in written form

Emphasizes the act of recording information in a written format.

put in writing

Suggests the action of transforming something into a written document.

recorded in writing

Highlights the act of officially noting something down in written form.

stated in writing

Focuses on presenting information or a declaration in written format.

expressed in writing

Focuses on conveying thoughts or ideas through written words.

submitted in writing

Indicates the act of formally presenting a document.

committed to writing

Implies a formal or binding agreement that is documented.

furnished in writing

Highlights the action of providing something in written form, often officially.

communicated in writing

Emphasizes the transmission of information through written channels.

formalized in writing

Highlights the act of making something official through written documentation.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to be "made in writing"?

When something is "made in writing", it means it's been documented in a tangible, written form, such as a letter, email, or contract. This provides a clear record of the agreement, request, or statement.

Why is it important for certain requests to be "made in writing"?

Making a request "made in writing" ensures there's a clear record of the request, its details, and the date it was made. This can be essential for legal reasons, internal documentation, or preventing misunderstandings.

Which is correct, "made in writing" or "done in writing"?

Both "made in writing" and "done in writing" are grammatically correct, but "made in writing" is more commonly used in formal contexts to emphasize documentation. Depending on the context, you could also use "documented in writing".

What are some alternatives to "made in writing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "documented in written form", "expressed in writing", or "recorded in writing" to convey a similar meaning.