Writen or written? Which form is correct?

Writen or written? Which of these two words is correct? It is easy to guess that they are both formed from the verb to write, but is it single or double “t”? Or perhaps it is ok to use both variants? One thing is for sure, the spelling of this word is so intriguing that a new article about it has to be… writen or written?

Writen or written? Which form is correct?

The answer is that there is only one correct form of this word and it is written. It is the only acceptable spelling and has no alternative forms in all variants of English. Read the following section to find out why.

Writen or written? The correct form

Written is the past participle form of the verb to write which is one of irregular verbs that do not follow the typical past tense spelling pattern. It is pronounced / ˈrɪt.ən/, but in Middle English both t’s were pronounced ( /writ ten/), hence the spelling. In the course of time the pronunciation has changed to just one t, however, the spelling with double t remained.

Writen or written? The incorrect form

Writen is an incorrect form, a misspelling of written and should not be used as such. This is true for all English variants.

Written – the meaning

Written is the past participle of the verb to write which refers mainly to making letters or numbers on a surface (or computer screen) or producing something in a written form.

The numbers were written in green.
This text is very well written.

Written can also be an adjective meaning something that is expressed in writing:
written instructions / evidence / record

Writen or written? More examples from the literature and press

When something is written, there is no way to change it.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

And then, exactly a year ago, Hogwarts had written to Harry, and the whole story had come out.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Take Mr. Pip’s written order, and pay him twenty pounds.

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

“Your job is to enforce the laws as Congress has written,” Mr. Wolf said.

Washington Times, Aug 24, 2022