writing

Pluralwritings (some meanings)

1. 1
   putting down wordsverb

   Present participle and gerund of write.

   He was writing in his journal when the storm hit.

   The students are writing their final essays this week.

   UsageSpelled with one t: writing (not incorrect: writting). After be it shows an action going on: she is writing.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The pursuit or occupation of producing written works such as books, articles, and stories.

   After years in advertising, he turned to writing full-time and published his first novel at forty.

   Freelance writing pays the rent, though not always on time.

   UsageNo plural here: people take up writing or turn to writing. Writings means an author's works.

   Note

   Courses in the craft often go by creative writing, which usually means fiction, poetry and memoir rather than reports.

3. 3
   a textnouncountable

   A piece of written work, such as a document, article, or book, or the works of a particular author (often plural).

   The contract says any change must be set out in a writing signed by both parties.

   Her published writings span four decades of journalism.

   UsageOften plural for an author's works: her writings, the writings of Plato. A writing on its own is mostly found in legal texts.

4. 4
   visible symbolsnoununcountable

   Visible symbols, such as letters, that have been marked down to express meaning.

   Archaeologists deciphered the writing carved into the temple wall.

   Tiny writing ran along the bottom edge of the manuscript.

   UsageUsually no article for marks in general, ancient writing, but the writing on a wall, sign or tablet.

   Similarscript, lettering, inscription, text

   Note

   William G. Boltz's The Origin and Early Development of the Chinese Writing System (1994) calls writing "no more and no less than a graphic representation of speech."

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The process of recording a language by means of letters or other symbols.

   The invention of writing allowed early civilizations to keep detailed records.

   Scholars trace the origins of writing to ancient Mesopotamia.

   UsageUsually no article: the invention of writing, learning reading and writing.

6. 6
   own stylenoununcountable

   The distinctive style in which a particular person writes.

   The detective compared the ransom note with the suspect's writing.

   Hemingway's spare writing influenced generations of novelists.

   UsageWhen the sense is unclear, say handwriting for the shape of the letters or style for the prose.

   Similarhandwriting, hand, style, prose

   Note

   Two different things share this sense: the shape of someone's hand on the page, and the manner of their prose. "I can't read your writing" is about handwriting, while "Hemingway's spare writing" is about style. Context usually settles which is meant.

7. 7
   nounbefore a noun

   Intended for or used in the act of putting words on a page.

   He sat at an old writing desk near the window.

   The shop sells writing materials and fine stationery.

   UsageBefore a noun for things used to write: writing paper, a writing desk, writing materials.

   Note

   A noun doing an adjective's job: writing table, writing desk, writing materials, all things made for the act of writing. Keep it apart from the verb's participle: a writing desk is a desk for writing, but in "a man writing letters" the word describes someone actually doing it.

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