write from scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "write from scratch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to creating something entirely new without using any pre-existing material or resources. Example: "For this project, I decided to write from scratch instead of using templates or previous work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(Today it seems more likely that playwrights need to adapt film scripts rather than write from scratch).

The New York Times

That can mean anything from helping people to read and write from scratch, to advising on how to submit university applications and giving specialist tutorials on study skills and creative writing.

The Guardian

At times, Gordimer seemed to feel that she was forging her literary path alone, and that the novelist in South Africa "does not live in a community and has begun to write from scratch at the wrong time".

The Guardian - Books

"The point is that now judges don't have to write from scratch on this," Arthur S. Leonard, a professor at New York Law School and an expert on gay-rights law, said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's a new program, written from scratch.

The New York Times - Tech

But the Air Force's software was not some mystery package, nor was it written from scratch.

The New York Times - Tech

If all the software is written from scratch, code must be written to interact with every device.

Embedded Microprocessor Systems: Real World Design

All functions for state machine and decoding were written from scratch.

Cornell University

The Sniffer was written from scratch, referring to the specs in the RFC 2246.

Stanford University

There can be no Dialer unless a new one is written from scratch.

Columbia University

His lyrics will follow the story but will be written from scratch; Douglas Carter Beane, a Broadway playwright, has written the dialogue.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "write from scratch" to describe software development, emphasize the benefits of a fresh approach, such as improved performance or security. This can justify the extra effort compared to modifying existing code.

Common error

Avoid using "write from scratch" when the work heavily relies on existing libraries or frameworks. Be transparent about the extent of originality to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "write from scratch" functions as a verb phrase indicating the creation of something entirely new and original, as evidenced in Ludwig's examples. It emphasizes a process that starts without any pre-existing base.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "write from scratch" denotes creating something entirely new and original, without relying on pre-existing materials. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure that the described work genuinely reflects a high degree of originality to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives include "create from the ground up" or "develop from the beginning", which can provide nuanced emphasis depending on the intended meaning. While it is correct, consider that is not very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create from the ground up

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of building something completely new.

develop from the beginning

Focuses on the developmental process starting at the initial stage.

originate from nothing

Highlights the absence of any pre-existing basis or resources.

build from zero

Stresses the starting point of 'zero' resources or prior work.

conceive independently

Emphasizes the autonomous and original nature of the idea's creation.

formulate from first principles

Highlights using fundamental truths rather than relying on existing frameworks.

produce without precedent

Stresses the lack of any prior model or example.

author independently

Focuses on the act of writing something original without external influence.

generate uniquely

Highlights the creation of something distinctive and non-derivative.

compose from raw materials

Emphasizes using basic elements to construct something new.

FAQs

What does "write from scratch" mean?

The phrase "write from scratch" means to create something entirely new, without using or adapting any pre-existing materials or code. It implies a completely original creation.

When is it appropriate to say "write from scratch"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the originality and independence of the creation process. For example, "The new software was "written from scratch" to address specific performance issues".

Are there alternatives to "write from scratch"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "create from the ground up", "develop from the beginning", or "build from zero" depending on the context.

Is it better to "write from scratch" or modify existing code?

It depends on the project's goals. "Writing from scratch" allows for complete customization and optimization, but it's more time-consuming. Modifying existing code is faster, but may introduce limitations or technical debt.