they wrote about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they wrote about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to topics or subjects that someone has discussed or documented in writing. Example: "In their latest article, they wrote about the impact of climate change on coastal cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are not able to keep up with the current changes in the cities and spots they wrote about".

Huffington Post

They wrote stories about cool kids and cliques, and they wrote about teen love, broken hearts and loneliness.

Huffington Post

However, the kind of things that they wrote about and the extracurricular activities they participated in were different than mine.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, as predicted, those in the SA condition rated the value they wrote about as being significantly more important (M = 5.05) than those in the control condition (M = 3.08), F 1, 120) = 26.14, p <.001, =.18.

British Journal of Health Psychology

They wrote about it.

The New Yorker

They wrote about each other's work.

The Guardian - Books

"To make Gawker not write what they wrote about me?

The New Yorker

They wrote about the way I felt: displaced and inarticulate.

The Guardian

They wrote about their ideas, their views, their challenges.

The Guardian

They can show classmates their pictures and read what they wrote about them in small groups.

The New York Times

Reporters traveled with teams and inevitably became close with some of the players they wrote about.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "they wrote about" to clearly indicate that information or ideas were documented in writing. This is especially useful when distinguishing between verbal and written communication.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "they" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent to avoid confusion about who is being referred to. Reword the sentence to specify the subject if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they wrote about" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a group or individuals have created a written record or commentary on a particular subject. This phrase asserts the act of writing as the primary mode of communication, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they wrote about" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates written documentation or commentary on a subject. Grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts, especially News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it serves to inform readers about the written source of information. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions effectively to highlight that particular topics have been documented in writing. When using this phrase, ensure pronoun clarity to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "they discussed" or "they covered" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they discussed

Focuses on the act of verbal exchange and information sharing, rather than written documentation.

they documented

Highlights the act of recording information, often in a systematic or official manner.

they covered

Implies a comprehensive treatment of a topic in writing.

they reported on

Emphasizes the act of conveying information, especially news or factual accounts.

they described

Highlights the act of providing details and characteristics of a subject.

they analyzed

Focuses on a detailed examination of a topic, often with a critical or interpretive perspective.

they commented on

Emphasizes the expression of opinions or reactions in writing.

they elaborated on

Suggests providing further details or expanding on a particular point or idea.

they touched upon

Indicates a brief or passing reference to a topic in their writing.

their writings addressed

Formal rephrasing, highlighting that the writings covered specific themes or subjects.

FAQs

What's a simple way to rephrase "they wrote about"?

You could use phrases like "they discussed", "they covered", or "they documented" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "they wrote about" or "they discussed"?

"They wrote about" is generally considered more formal, suggesting a documented account. "They discussed" implies a conversation or exchange of ideas, which is less formal.

When should I use "they wrote about" instead of "they reported on"?

Use "they wrote about" when referring to a broader range of topics or perspectives. Use "they "reported on" when the focus is on conveying factual information or news.

How can I make sure my sentence with "they wrote about" is clear?

Ensure that "they" has a clear and specific reference. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who "they" refers to, especially if it's not immediately obvious from the context. For example, you can specify "the researchers "wrote about"" or "the authors "wrote about"".