to fill in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to fill in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of providing information, such as on a form. For example: "Please fill in your contact information on the form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Care to fill in the details there?

Independent

Learning is meant to fill in gaps.

The Guardian

I was asked to fill in as a Sunny.

The New Yorker

Not to fill in for men.

Huffington Post

Devoted to fluidity, Riley doesn't like to fill in everything.

Los Angeles Times

3) Able to fill in forms.

Clinical Epidemiology

They need someone to fill in for them'.

BMC Health Services Research

Time needed to fill in was 13.7 ± 9.0 minutes.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The players were asked to fill in daily activities diary.

BioMed Research International

Fillers are necessary to fill in spaces between some cabinets.

WikiHow

I volunteered to fill in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to fill in" to refer to completing a form, ensure that instructions are clear to avoid ambiguity for the person filling it.

Common error

Avoid using "to fill in" when a more specific verb like "complete", "substitute", or "inform" would provide greater clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to fill in" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of completing something by adding necessary information or substituting for someone temporarily. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to fill in" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, including completing forms, substituting for someone, or providing missing information. Its prevalence across news, science, and general writing makes it a valuable addition to anyone's vocabulary. Remember to consider the specific context to ensure the most precise and effective communication. While widely accepted, it's advisable to use more specific verbs like "complete" or "substitute" when possible to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to complete

Focuses on finishing something by adding necessary information or elements.

to substitute for

Emphasizes replacing someone or something temporarily.

to inform

Highlights the act of providing missing details or clarifying information.

to stand in for

Implies temporarily taking someone's place or role.

to flesh out

Refers to adding more details to make something more complete.

to supplement

Suggests adding extra elements to enhance or complete something.

to take over

Focuses on assuming responsibility for something, often temporarily.

to annotate

Involves adding explanatory notes or comments.

to step in

Emphasizes intervening or taking action in someone's absence.

to elucidate

Means to make something clearer by providing more information.

FAQs

How can I use "to fill in" in a sentence?

You can use "to fill in" to mean completing a form or providing missing information. For example, "Please fill in the application form" or "He asked me to fill in the details of the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "to fill in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to complete", "to substitute for", or "to inform".

Is it better to say "fill in" or "fill out"?

Both "fill in" and "fill out" are acceptable and commonly used, but "fill out" is often preferred in American English, while "fill in" is more common in British English.

How does "to fill in" differ from "to fill out"?

While both phrases are very similar, "to fill out" generally refers specifically to completing a form, whereas "to fill in" can also mean providing missing information in a broader sense.