Written vs. Writen – Which is Correct?

The correct term for the past participle of the verb “write” is written, while writen is an incorrect spelling. Understanding the proper usage of these terms is crucial for clear communication in written English.

written or writen – Which is Correct?

The correct form is written, which is the past participle of the verb “write.” writen is not recognized as a valid English word and should be avoided in writing. “Written” is the accepted standard in all forms of formal and casual communication.

Word	When to Use	Example
written	Use “written” to denote something that has been composed in writing.	The book was written by a famous author.
writen	Incorrect; do not use.	N/A

How to Use written

To use the word written correctly, it should be employed in contexts where you refer to anything that has been physically or digitally produced in text form.

Example 1: The email was written clearly and concisely.

Example 2: She has written several articles for the magazine.

Example 3: The instructions were written in the manual provided with the product.

What are the different forms of written?

“Written” is the past participle of the verb “write.” Its different tenses are:

• Base form: write
• Present tense: I write, you write, he/she/it writes
• Past tense: I wrote, you wrote, he/she/it wrote
• Present participle: writing
• Past participle: written

Etymology of the word written

The word “written” derives from the Old English “writan,” meaning to scratch or draw, which later evolved to signify the act of writing. Its connections can be traced through Middle English as “writen,” and its structure has been preserved in modern usage as the past participle form of “write.”

Practice Exercises

1. She has ______ a beautiful poem about nature.
2. All the reports must be ______ before submitting.
3. He ______ his thoughts in a letter to the editor.
4. Documents must be ______ legibly for better understanding.
5. The story was ______ by a prominent novelist.

Answer Key

1. written
2. written
3. wrote
4. written
5. written

written Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
composed	To create or put together a piece of writing.
drafted	To prepare a preliminary version of a written work.
inscribed	To mark a surface with writing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct word to use in written communication is written. Its incorrect counterpart, writen, should be avoided to maintain clarity and correctness in English writing.