Fill meaning in English
Learn how to use Fill correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to fill (in, out, up): to make, to become full; to use empty space
Fill is always followed by a "post-position":
To fill out a form To write the necessary information on a document
To fill in the hole To put things into the hole to make it full, so that there is no more space
To fill up the gas tank. To put petrol/gas into your car so the gas tank becomes full
(The bag) is filled with (sand): (The bag) is full of (sand)
Examples
- "It could look like a perfume bottle and be filled with real perfume!"
- "You are cordially invited to my grand opening, which will be filled with art, snacks, and for the first time at any event that I've hosted, no strippers."
- "To help us maintain the high standards of our consulting group, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a few moments to fill in the attached performance evaluation form for our employee, Robert Tiberius Carter."
- "Please indicate which of these days you would prefer as the new "Casual Dress Day", by filling in the box with a pencil or pen, blue or black ink."
- "Excuse my typical French greeting, but I have just returned from my homeland (France) and I am filled with a love of France (my homeland) and all things French!"
- "To join MyFace, please complete the registration data by filling in all the fields found below."
- "Brian : Did he fill your sock with presents?"
- "Future Man : Fill in our tax return."
- "All the tea, crumpets and Sudoku in the world cannot fill my void since leaving the Delavigne Corporation."
- "Let's take a quick look back at some of the funkier moments from a year filled with funk."
- "Xavier's daily soup will go cold tonight, but our hearts are still filled with warmth."
- "I am also filled with terror upon discovering your new president, but that is a discussion for another time!"
- "Let the rhythm of the samba fill your ears, and the meat from our grills fill your stomach."
- "Edward : (singing) Sometimes I feel like such a loner, trying to fill the printer with toner"
Exercise 1
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
Choose the TRUE statements from the list below.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
Kevin actually says that the prices at the restaurant were "very low", meaning that the restaurant was cheap, or inexpensive.
Kevin begins his conversation with Mrs. Lee by thanking her for the restaurant recommendation, and goes on to tell her how much he enjoyed it. There is no indication that Kevin went to a different restaurant.
Kevin remarks that although he ate copious amounts of food, he felt hungry soon after eating. He says, "It was strange though, an hour after I ate, I was hungry again". "To be hungry" is to "feel like" eating, or to have the urge to eat.
Mrs. Lee says, "I am filled with joy because you like our traditional Chinese cuisine". "To be filled with joy" is a way of saying "I am very happy" or "I am overjoyed". Mrs. Lee is happy because Kevin enjoyed a traditional Chinese meal.
Exercise 2
In which of the following sentences is the expression "to fill out" used correctly?
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
In which of the following sentences is the expression "to fill out" used correctly?
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This is a correct choice. "To fill out (a form)" is to complete the form with the necessary information. Note that in British English, the correct construction is "to fill IN (a form)".
This is an incorrect choice. You can't "fill out" a glass. A better choice would be to "fill up" a glass when it is empty. The preposition "up" is used with "fill" to describe adding liquid (gas, champagne, water) to something else (a glass, a tank, a bucket, etc).
This is an incorrect choice. You can't "fill out" a line, however, you can "file" in a line. When people "file out", they move in order, one following the other.
This is a correct choice. "To fill out (a form)" is to complete the form with the necessary information. You can "fill out" an application, since applications (demands for employment) require certain specific information from the applicant.
Exercise 3
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate phrasal verbs:
If you this questionnaire, you will receive $100 in internet shopping vouchers.
To answer the questions, simply the blanks.
If you this questionnaire, you will receive $100 in internet shopping vouchers.
To answer the questions, simply the blanks.
Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate phrasal verbs:
If you fill out 1 this questionnaire, you will receive $100 in internet shopping vouchers.
To answer the questions, simply fill in 2 the blanks.
If you fill out 1 this questionnaire, you will receive $100 in internet shopping vouchers.
To answer the questions, simply fill in 2 the blanks.
1 fill out: "Fill out" is the best choice here. To "fill out" a questionnaire is to write the answers in, and tick the boxes. In American English, people "fill out forms", whereas in Britain people "fill IN forms". Some examples: "I have to fill out this form before I can take the trash out" (US), "I need to fill in this form before I can take the rubbish out (UK)".
1 fill: This is not correct. You can "fill" (or fill up) a petrol tank or a container, but you "fill out" or "fill in" a document.
1 fill up: This is not correct. You can "fill up" a petrol tank or a container, but you "fill out" or "fill in" a document.
2 fill in: This is correct. As you've probably seen in your Gymglish lessons, we "fill in the blanks" in exercises where text needs to be typed into a box. Example: "Fill in the blanks below with the most appropriate terms from the dialogue"!
2 fill: This is not correct. You can "fill" (or fill up) a petrol tank or a container, but you "fill in" a blank.
2 fill up: This is not correct. You can "fill up" a petrol tank or a container, but you or "fill in" a blank in a document.
Exercise 4
A document with blank spaces that records written information is a .
To complete one of these documents is to it .
To complete one of these documents is to it .
A document with blank spaces that records written information is a form 1.
To complete one of these documents is to fill 2 it in 3.
To complete one of these documents is to fill 2 it in 3.
1 form: A "form" is usually an official document that needs to be completed with pen or pencil. Example: When you arrive in the country, you have to FILL IN sixteen forms to prove you're not a terrorist.
2 fill: "To fill in" or "fill out" (a form) means to complete (a form). In the conversation, the scientist asks Icarus to "FILL in (the Earth's) tax return".
3 in: We "fill IN forms" in the UK, but in the USA, we tend to "fill OUT forms". However, both variations are acceptable everywhere!
Exercise 5
Because Jean is French, he has difficulty with phrasal verbs. Let's help him!
Write the appropriate term in the blank below!
"I have to fill all these forms in order to apply for American citizenship, and I only have 10 minutes to do it. When is the next plane to Canada?!"
Write the appropriate term in the blank below!
"I have to fill all these forms in order to apply for American citizenship, and I only have 10 minutes to do it. When is the next plane to Canada?!"
Because Jean is French, he has difficulty with phrasal verbs. Let's help him!
Write the appropriate term in the blank below!
"I have to fill out all these forms in order to apply for American citizenship, and I only have 10 minutes to do it. When is the next plane to Canada?!"
Write the appropriate term in the blank below!
"I have to fill out all these forms in order to apply for American citizenship, and I only have 10 minutes to do it. When is the next plane to Canada?!"
out: "Out" is the right term here. To "fill out (an application) form" is to complete it, or enter the appropriate information. This is one of the least interesting parts of life. Note that in the UK, we say "to fill IN a form". Example: "Have you filled out/in your application for the sex change operation yet?".
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