will be written off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be written off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to indicate that an asset or debt will be removed from the books, often due to it being deemed uncollectible or worthless. Example: "Due to the company's financial struggles, several outstanding debts will be written off at the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Any outstanding amount will be written off after 30 years.

The Guardian

Willcom's capital will be written off entirely, the Nikkei business newspaper reported.

The New York Times

For some, their student debt will be written off after a fixed period.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bulk of what we paid for ABN Amro will be written off as goodwill".

The Guardian - Business

No doubt Mr Beinart will be written off as a self-appointed Isaiah with a book to sell.

The Economist

Another 30% will be written off as a tax credit this year, thanks to the 2005 federal energy bill.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Though Liberty will be writing off millions in bad loans, the losses will not be as huge as initially thought.

The New York Times

When the teams met last month the rampant Tigers won 36-8 but no one will be writing off Saints as dead meat on this evidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Try getting into a conversation in which you denigrate some aspect of this brave new technology, and it's inevitable you'll be written off a Luddite or someone who simply doesn't 'get it'.

BBC

"I'm sure we'll be written off by everyone but, once we've got Saeed Ajmal back, who knows?" Worcestershire will have to wait until mid-summer before bringing in Ajmal, so often their matchwinner last season, although now with a remodelled action.

BBC

If you're begrudgingly making phone calls or running for city council when your head is constantly in DC, it'll be recognized and you'll be written off.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, ensure that using "will be written off" is appropriate to convey the formal accounting process of removing an asset or debt from the books. It's often used when there's little to no hope of recovery.

Common error

Avoid using "will be written off" in contexts where 'canceled' or 'forgiven' is more appropriate. "Written off" often implies a financial or accounting action, not just a simple cancellation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be written off" functions as a passive construction indicating a future action where an asset or debt is removed from financial records, typically due to uncollectibility or loss of value. Ludwig confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will be written off" is a common and grammatically correct expression, predominantly used in financial and journalistic contexts to denote the future removal of an asset or debt from an organization's accounts. Ludwig confirms the validity and applicability of the phrase, highlighting its prevalence in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While it's essential to grasp the phrase's financial implication to avoid misapplication, the phrase serves as a clear and concise way to convey information in accounting and economic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be cancelled

Focuses on the act of nullifying or terminating something, similar to writing off a debt.

will be forgiven

Emphasizes the act of pardoning or excusing a debt or obligation.

will be scrapped

Suggests that something will be discarded or abandoned completely.

will be eliminated

Highlights the removal or eradication of something.

will be disregarded

Implies that something will be ignored or dismissed as unimportant.

will be invalidated

Focuses on rendering something legally or officially void.

will be nullified

Similar to invalidated, but can also apply more broadly to any kind of agreement or decision.

will be chalked up as a loss

More directly implies financial loss recognition.

will be deemed unrecoverable

Specifically suggests that recovery of a debt or asset is not possible.

will be cleared

Indicates that a debt or obligation will be completely removed or settled.

FAQs

How is "will be written off" typically used in financial contexts?

In finance, "will be written off" indicates that an asset or debt is being removed from a company's balance sheet because it is deemed uncollectible or has no value. This affects financial reporting and can impact a company's profitability.

What does it mean when a debt "will be written off" after a certain period?

When a debt "will be written off" after a specified time, like 30 years for student loans, it means that the lender agrees to forgive the remaining balance after that period, assuming certain conditions are met. This is often part of a larger agreement or policy.

What are some alternatives to saying something "will be written off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "will be cancelled", "will be forgiven", or "will be eliminated". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the financial aspect or the general act of cancellation.

Is there a difference between "will be written off" and "will be written down"?

Yes, "will be written off" means completely removing an asset or debt from the books, whereas "will be written down" means reducing its recorded value. A write-down reflects a partial loss of value, while a write-off indicates a total loss.