fill out a form

Meaning

This expression means to complete a document by writing information in the blank spaces. It is widely used in offices, banks, and online registrations. While 'fill out' is standard in American English, 'fill in' is also common, but 'fill up' is a mistake when referring to documents.

Examples

• Please fill out a form at the reception desk before seeing the doctor.

  Please fill out a form at the reception desk before seeing the doctor.

• You can fill out a form online to request a refund.

  You can fill out a form online to request a refund.

• Every applicant must fill out a form with their personal details.

  Every applicant must fill out a form with their personal details.

• I had to fill out a form that was five pages long just to get a library card.

  I had to fill out a form that was five pages long just to get a library card.

• Make sure you fill out a form completely before submitting it.

  Make sure you fill out a form completely before submitting it.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please fill up this form.

  ✓ Please fill out this form.

  'Fill up' means to make something completely full, like a gas tank. For documents, use 'fill out' or 'fill in'.

• ✗ I filled out of the form yesterday.

  ✓ I filled out the form yesterday.

  Do not add 'of' after 'fill out'. The phrasal verb directly takes the noun as its object.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before we can process your application, you need to ___.

  💡 Complete a document with your details.

  Show answer

  fill out a form

• Could you please ___ online to register for the webinar?

  💡 Enter your information into the blank spaces.

  Show answer

  fill out a form