written off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "written off" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been declared or legally recognized as a total loss, or something that has been dismissed or neglected. For example: "The company wrote off the old building as a total loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, they're written off entirely.

The New York Times

We haven't written off automatic promotion".

Independent

He cannot be written off quite yet.

The Economist

He cannot be written off altogether.

The Economist

"He can't be written off".

The Guardian

It has written off another $5 billion since.

The New York Times

Most people had written off Marussia.

The Guardian - Sport

This can be written off against tax.

The Guardian - Business

Being written off is nothing new".

The Guardian - Sport

Inconvenient documents were written off as forgeries.

The Guardian - Opinion

To be "written off" had its advantages.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "written off" in a financial context, ensure clarity regarding what specific asset or debt is being devalued or eliminated. For example, specify "bad debt written off" or "equipment written off".

Common error

Avoid using "written off" interchangeably with temporary setbacks. "Written off" implies a permanent loss or devaluation, not just a temporary difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "written off" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that something or someone has been subject to a process of devaluation, dismissal, or cancellation. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from financial losses to personal assessments, aligned with Ludwig AI confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "written off" is a common expression that signifies something has been devalued, dismissed, or canceled. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile usage across various contexts. With a high frequency in news and media, business, and wiki sources, "written off" carries a neutral register, adapting to both formal and informal settings. Related phrases like "dismissed", "devalued", and "cancelled" offer nuanced alternatives, while best practices advise clarity in financial contexts and avoiding misuse for temporary setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Considered a lost cause

Emphasizes the hopelessness or futility associated with a situation or person.

Given up on

Highlights the act of abandoning hope or effort regarding someone or something.

Dismissed

Implies a rejection or disregard of something, often an idea or suggestion.

Disregarded

Focuses on the act of ignoring or paying no attention to something.

Discounted

Suggests that something is not fully believed or taken seriously.

Devalued

Suggests a reduction in worth or importance, primarily in financial or qualitative contexts.

Abandoned

Implies a complete desertion or relinquishment of something.

Cancelled

Indicates the termination or annulment of something, like a debt or an event.

Foregone

Highlights something that has been relinquished or sacrificed.

Written down

Specifically relates to reducing the book value of an asset in accounting.

FAQs

How is "written off" used in accounting?

In accounting, "written off" means an asset's value has been reduced to zero or the debt is deemed uncollectible and removed from the balance sheet. This recognizes a permanent loss.

What's the difference between "written off" and depreciated?

Depreciation is a gradual reduction in an asset's value over time, while being "written off" indicates a sudden and complete loss of value or the cancellation of an asset.

When might someone say a person or team has been "written off"?

This usually happens when their chances of success are considered negligible, and others no longer believe in their ability to recover or compete effectively.

What are some financial items that can be "written off"?

Examples include uncollectible accounts receivable (bad debts), obsolete inventory, and fully impaired assets. These are recognized as losses on the income statement.