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fill out — complete a form

phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

to write information in all the spaces on a form or document.

Say it like a native

Textbook Kindly complete the requisite documentation.

Native Just fill out the form.

'Complete the requisite documentation' is bureaucratic; 'fill out / fill in the form' is natural.

Pattern: fill out + noun (form, application, document, etc.)

In use

  • You need to fill out this form before you see the doctor.daily life
  • In my country, when you apply for a new passport, you have to fill out several forms with your personal information.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ Please fill the form and sign it.

✓ Please fill out the form and sign it.

Need 'out' (AmE) or 'in' (BrE); bare 'fill' means make full.

Common collocations

  • fill out + document — the form, an application, the paperwork, a questionnaire

Don't confuse it

'Fill up' means to make something full (like a glass with water), not to complete a form.

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