Irregular verb
The verb to write
write → wrote → written
A2Meaning: to put words on paper or a screen · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they write·he/she/it writes - Past Simple:
wrote - Past participle:
written - -ing form:
writing(without the final e)
Conjugation of the verb to write
Present Simple
| I | write |
| You | write |
| He / She / It | writes |
| We | write |
| You (pl.) | write |
| They | write |
Past Simple
| I | wrote |
| You | wrote |
| He / She / It | wrote |
| We | wrote |
| You (pl.) | wrote |
| They | wrote |
All the forms of the verb to write
Present Simple
Full pagewrite / writes
“I write in my diary every night.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are writing
“I am writing a letter right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagewrote
“I wrote a letter to my friend.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were writing
“I was writing a letter when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has written
“I have already written a letter.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad written
“She had already written a letter when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill write
“I will write a letter tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to write
“I'm going to write a letter this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould write
“I would write a letter if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to write
1. Writing a text or a letter
- I wrote a letter.
- She writes for a magazine.
2. Writing to someone
Write to + person (British English), or write + person (American English).
- Write to me soon.
- Write me soon.
3. Phrasal verbs
Write down means to write something so you don't forget it. Write back means to answer a letter or a message. Write up means to write a full report from your notes.
- write down
- write back
- write up
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I have wrote ❌
The three forms are different. I wrote is the Past Simple. After have, use the past participle: I have written (Present Perfect).
2. Saying the w ❌
In write, wrote and written, the first w is silent: /raɪt/. The same goes for wrong, wrap and wreck.
Going further
Conjugating to write is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to write. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: write
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of write?+
The Past Simple of write is wrote. The past participle is written, a different form. Write → wrote → written.
Is the w in write silent?+
Yes, the first w is silent. Write is pronounced /raɪt/, just like right. The same goes for wrote /rəʊt/, written /ˈrɪtn/, wrong /rɒŋ/ and wrap /ræp/.
Is it wrote or written?+
Wrote is the Past Simple, used alone: I wrote a book. Written is the past participle, used after have / has (Present Perfect): I have written a book. Learners often mix them up.
Is it write to me or write me?+
In British English, people say write to: He wrote to me. In American English, He wrote me is also common. Both are correct, but write to is the safe choice.
Is it write or type on a computer?+
Write works for both: I wrote an email. To say how you write, use type for a keyboard and write by hand (or handwrite) for a pen: I prefer handwriting to typing.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/write
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.