rewrite
C1Neutral (Used across formal, academic, and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To write something again, typically to improve it or correct it.
To alter or change the content, structure, or form of a text, narrative, or piece of information.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate improvement or update, not just repetition. Can extend metaphorically to revising history or changing one's story.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or form. Both BrE and AmE accept 'rewritten' as the past participle.
Connotations
Identical across both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in academic and publishing contexts; equally used in general language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
rewrite + NP (object)rewrite + NP + as + NPNP + be + rewritten + by + NP (agent)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rewrite the record books”
- “rewrite history (often metaphorical)”
- “rewrite the rules of the game”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to updating proposals, business plans, or software code.
Academic
Common in discussing editing essays, revising theories, or reinterpreting historical narratives.
Everyday
Used for improving a letter, school essay, or social media post.
Technical
In computing, refers to modifying source code or data transformation rules.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The author was asked to rewrite the final chapter for the UK edition.
- They had to completely rewrite the software after the security flaw was discovered.
American English
- She had to rewrite her college application essay several times.
- The studio demanded the screenwriter rewrite the entire third act.
adjective
British English
- The rewrite policy was strict, allowing only two major revisions.
American English
- He submitted a rewrite draft for the committee's review.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I will rewrite my homework to make it neater.
- Can you rewrite this sentence? It has mistakes.
- The teacher told me to rewrite my essay because it was too short.
- I need to rewrite my notes so I can understand them better.
- After receiving feedback, the journalist had to rewrite the article to provide a more balanced view.
- The new evidence forced historians to rewrite the accepted narrative of the event.
- The film's ending was so controversial that the producers insisted on a page-one rewrite of the script.
- The treaty essentially rewrites the rules of international trade for the digital age.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-' (again) + 'WRITE'. You are writing it REpeatedly.
Conceptual Metaphor
REWRITING IS CORRECTING/IMPROVING; REWRITING HISTORY IS CHANGING PERCEPTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'переписывать' meaning only 'to copy' by hand. 'Rewrite' implies change.
- Avoid using 'rewrite' for simple copying without alteration.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rewrite' when you mean 'copy' (no changes).
- Misspelling as 're-write' (hyphen is less common in modern usage).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'rewrite' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern English, 'rewrite' is predominantly written as one solid word, though the hyphenated form 're-write' is occasionally seen but considered less standard.
The noun is also 'rewrite' (e.g., 'The script needed a major rewrite'). The act of rewriting can be called 'revision' or 'redrafting'.
Not necessarily. While it often aims for improvement, 'rewrite' can also mean to change content for other reasons (e.g., censorship, simplification, or error correction) without implying the result is objectively better.
Yes, frequently. It refers to modifying or transforming code, data, or URLs (e.g., URL rewrite rules in web servers).