write off

USAGE SUMMARY

"write off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of canceling a debt, either partially or in full. For example, "The company was able to successfully write off the overdue debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I don't write off anybody".

The New York Times

Why not write off the debt entirely?

The Economist

Now banks must write off 100%.

The Economist

But you shouldn't write off discrepancies.

The New York Times - Arts

Don't write off Next yet.

The Guardian - Business

Don't write off the tech giant yet.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Drawdown must not mean write-off.

The New York Times

Nobody will talk of a write-off.

The Economist

Their crop was a write-off.

The Economist

2009 was a write-off.

The Guardian - Sport

Otherwise, you're a write-off.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "write off" in a financial context, be specific about what is being written off (e.g., "write off bad debt", "write off depreciation").

Common error

Avoid using "write off" too casually in contexts where a more nuanced expression is appropriate. While it can mean to dismiss something, consider whether a more descriptive verb like "disregard", "underestimate", or "discredit" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "write off" primarily functions as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. Ludwig examples show its usage in financial contexts (e.g., writing off debt) and figurative contexts (e.g., writing off a team's chances). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "write off" is a versatile expression with both financial and figurative applications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources. It commonly appears in financial contexts to denote the cancellation of debt, and figuratively to dismiss something as unimportant or a failure. Although it spans across both professional and neutral tones, context dictates the most appropriate usage. As Ludwig's examples show, the expression is frequently found in news and media sources and less common in scientific sources. Understanding these nuances ensures its effective and accurate deployment in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charge off

A financial term synonymous with writing off a debt or loss.

cancel debt

Focuses specifically on the cancellation of financial obligations.

consider lost

Emphasizes the acceptance of something being unrecoverable.

discount

Suggests a reduction in value or importance.

depreciate

Focuses on the decrease in value of an asset over time.

dismiss as unimportant

Highlights the act of disregarding something as not significant.

eliminate from consideration

Focuses on the removal of something from a set of options.

deem a failure

Focuses on judging something as unsuccessful.

regard as hopeless

Emphasizes a pessimistic view of a situation.

abandon hope

Highlights the act of giving up on a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "write off" in a sentence?

You can use "write off" to mean either to cancel a debt, or to dismiss someone or something as a failure. For example, "The company decided to "write off" the bad debt," or "Don't "write off" the team just yet; they might still win."

What are some synonyms for "write off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "cancel debt", "dismiss as unimportant", or "consider lost".

Is it correct to say "write off" in a business context?

Yes, it is perfectly correct and commonly used in business contexts, particularly when referring to the cancellation of debts or the depreciation of assets.

What's the difference between ""write off"" and "write down"?

"Write off" typically means reducing the value of an asset to zero, while "write down" means reducing its value to some amount greater than zero. So, ""write off"" implies a complete loss, whereas "write down" implies a partial loss.