penned an article

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'penned an article' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to say that someone wrote an article. For example: "Nora penned an article about the wildlife in her home town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Byron Calame, the paper's public editor, has penned an article entitled "The Miller mess".

The Economist

You penned an article that was entirely sycophantic of the role of the former PM.

The Guardian

Jennifer Lawrence spoke for many women this week when she penned an article on the perils of being too nice.

Independent

No word from the opinion desk yet on whether the former coach of the Knicks has penned an article about the team's decline.

The New York Times

She recently penned an article titled "Just Kale Me: How your Kale habit is slowly destroying your health and the world".

The New Yorker

It started when a journalist, Emilio Silva, penned an article about his grandfather's death at the hands of a Francoist death squad.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Dalton served in the British Foreign Office for more than 35 years and was among a group of former western ambassadors to Tehran who co-penned an article in 2011 saying there was "no evidence that the country is building nuclear weapons" and urging dialogue.

The Guardian

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal joined the debate this week, penning an article attacking gay marriage in the New York Times.

The Guardian

November 13 , 2014 Model Barbara Bowman pens an article for The Washington Post detailing her litigation against Mr Cosby for sexual assault.

Independent

David Bowie Heathen (Iso) **** £14.99 Earlier this month, David Bowie took the surprising step of penning an article for a national newspaper, defending his taste in music.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a fierce attack MPs accused Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, and Sir Bob Kerslake, the head of the civil service, of wading into controversy by penning an article praising Lady Thatcher as the "best kind of boss".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "penned an article" to add a touch of elegance or sophistication to your writing, especially when referring to a well-written or influential piece.

Common error

While "penned an article" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "wrote an article" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "penned an article" functions as a verb phrase, where "penned" is the verb indicating the action of writing, and "an article" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penned an article" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the act of writing an article. While "wrote an article" remains a neutral and widely applicable alternative, "penned an article" often adds a touch of formality or literary flair, particularly within News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in various writing scenarios, though awareness of its slightly elevated tone is essential for maintaining appropriate style. Understanding its alternatives and potential overuse in informal settings is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrote an article

This is the most direct and common synonym, suitable for almost any context.

authored an article

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of creation.

drafted an article

Focuses on the initial composition, suggesting a preliminary version.

composed an article

Implies careful and thoughtful writing.

prepared an article

Highlights the work done to get the article ready for publication.

submitted an article

Emphasizes the act of sending the article for consideration.

contributed an article

Highlights the act of being one of possibly many writers.

published an article

Emphasizes the article's appearance in a publication.

crafted an article

Suggests skilled and artistic writing.

put together an article

A more informal way of saying an article was created, with a nuance of some effort made.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "penned an article"?

Saying someone "penned an article" means that they wrote it. The word "penned" adds a slightly more formal or literary tone than simply saying "wrote".

Is "penned an article" formal or informal?

The phrase "penned an article" is considered more formal than simply saying "wrote an article". It's appropriate for journalistic or literary contexts but may sound affected in everyday conversation.

What can I say instead of "penned an article"?

You can use alternatives like "wrote an article", "authored an article", or "drafted an article" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is better, "penned an article" or "wrote an article"?

Neither phrase is inherently better; it depends on the context. "Wrote an article" is neutral and widely applicable, while "penned an article" adds a touch of formality or literary flair. Choose the one that best suits the tone of your writing.