write up a report

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "write up a report" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to creating a written document about a certain topic. For example: "We need to write up a report on our findings from this experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He went on, "I'd write up a report for Captain Layton, who was the intelligence officer for Admiral Nimitz.

The New Yorker

[The student responded by giving his boat number.] 'What are you going to do, write up a report?

The Guardian

Create an experiment to test that hypothesis, perform it, and write up a report in which you analyze your results.

The New York Times

Out of concern about keeping the inquiry quiet, Inspector Smith decided not to write up a report of his findings.

The New York Times

And nobody wants to work here, so they always short staff, which is why they gonna write up a report to say that Bobby was fightin' and broke his own arm".

The New York Times - Books

CHARITY: See, if you get all crazy, then I gotta write up a report and I'm here till 6, 6 30 easy, and I have a second job to get to... LUCIUS: Tonight?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The RSC has been conspicuously silent about the whole ordeal, "I was told to write-up a report on this issue which I did.

TechCrunch

The police officer I'm riding with has arrested a juvenile, and is writing up a report.

The Economist

They wouldn't let me file an assault complaint — "you'd need to do that in the police station of the neighborhood where you were beaten" — but wrote up a report saying that I had "lost my documents".

The New Yorker

At about nine-thirty, twofficersrs came, looked at the hole in the ceiling and in the roof, wrote up a report on the damage, and took the mysterious object with them for identification.

The New Yorker

"I saw the information on Malaysia and the visas these guys had and I immediately wrote up a report to send on to the FBI, to my friend John O'Neill, Rossinii said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "write up a report", ensure the context clearly indicates the report's purpose and audience to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "the report was written up". Instead, use active voice: "The manager wrote up the report" for clearer, more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "write up a report" functions as a compound verb phrase where "write up" acts as a phrasal verb, signifying the act of composing or creating a formal document, and "a report" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms the usage with numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "write up a report" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to describe the creation of a formal document. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, suggesting a generally neutral to professional tone. While there are several alternatives like "prepare a report" or "draft a report", the key is to maintain clarity and consider your audience. Avoiding passive voice and ensuring the purpose of the report is clear are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare a report

Focuses on the preparation aspect rather than the writing itself.

draft a report

Emphasizes the initial creation stage of the report.

compile a report

Highlights gathering information as the primary action.

compose a report

Stresses the act of putting the report together in a structured way.

generate a report

Indicates the report is created, often automatically or systematically.

formulate a report

Focuses on the careful formation and structure of the report.

produce a report

Highlights the creation and output of the report.

put together a report

An informal way of saying to create a report by assembling different parts.

draw up a report

Similar to draft, emphasizing the formal creation of the document.

develop a report

Highlights the detailed process of creating and refining the report.

FAQs

How can I use "write up a report" in a sentence?

You can use "write up a report" to describe the process of creating a formal document, for example: "The investigator had to "write up a report" about his findings."

What are some alternatives to "write up a report"?

Alternatives include "prepare a report", "draft a report", or "compile a report", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "write up a report" or "prepare a report"?

Both are correct, but "prepare a report" might be more suitable when focusing on the actions needed to get the report ready, whereas "write up a report" emphasizes the actual writing process.

What's the difference between "write up a report" and "file a report"?

"Write up a report" refers to the creation of the document, while "file a report" means submitting or officially lodging an existing report.