The phrasal verb "write over" is predominantly used in informal contexts, where it often refers to the action of replacing or erasing existing content with new content. It's especially common in computing and technology-related settings where data or files may be overwritten. For example, a user might worry about 'writing over' a saved document or configuration file, inadvertently losing prior data. In more general use, "write over" can also imply annotating or marking up an existing text. It is less likely to be used in formal writing or discourse as specific and precise language is typically preferred in such contexts. The phrasal verb emphasizes the importance of making conscious decisions when managing or altering information, reflecting a need for careful consideration to avoid accidental data loss.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To replace existing content with new content, often in reference to digital documents or data.
Be careful not to write over the original document when you make changes.
Save your work so that you don't accidentally write over the latest version.
2. To erase existing data on a storage medium by recording new data on top of it.
The old files were written over when the system updated.
You can only recover lost data if it hasn't been written over.