What is the difference between FILL-OUT and FILL-UP?
By Theresaaiza
@Theresaaiza (10487)
Australia
May 8, 2009 10:22pm CST
...or are they one and the same? Which is more appropriate to use? "Fill-out a form." or "Fill-up a form"? 
Do you even put a dash in between or are they separate words?
Calling all English wiz out there!
I'd very much appreciate your help.
And please please don't tell me to just google it! (^_^)
Do you even put a dash in between or are they separate words?
Calling all English wiz out there!I'd very much appreciate your help.
And please please don't tell me to just google it! (^_^)3 people like this
10 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
9 May 09
I believe the proper term here is "filling out" a form. I have never heard of filling up a form althogugh that makes a little sense!
I guess it's kinda the same thing we say that the alarm goes off... when really it comes on!
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
9 May 09
I have heard that here a lot of times. It probably is fill out and some people misheard it as fill up and thus the term was carried over. I had to ask because I felt it was always wrong whenever I said "fill up the form". Thanks for the help.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
Oh so I see either can be used but I think from now on I'd go for "fill out" just to be safe. 
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
9 May 09
I don't know that it would be "wrong" to say "fill up" the form. In premise, you are indeed "filling' up all the blanks with words! :)
@roxancuacoy (441)
• Philippines
9 May 09
I think they have different meaning "Fill-out and Fill-up". But since language can also be manifested with informal uses these fill-out and fill-up were both accepted, perhaps the same meaning.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 May 09
You've got your answer it seems! You definitely fill out a form and there's no need for the hyphen between the words. You'd fill up your chopping trolley with food and your car with gas; again no hyphen. Oh and just to confuse you some more, you can also FILL IN a form! 
You'd fill up your chopping trolley with food and your car with gas; again no hyphen. Oh and just to confuse you some more, you can also FILL IN a form! 
@savypat (20216)
• United States
9 May 09
Fill out usually means to complete, like fill-out a form, fill-up means to make full,
like fill up the car with gas. It's a small difference but important.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
I take it that fill out is more appropriate than fill up, yeah? A lot of people here use fill up. So that's incorrect, right or wrong?
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
9 May 09
You fill out a form & fill up a gas tank (NO dashes). I think you use fill up with liquid measurements like water, gas, oil, etc. If you said you'd filled up a form I would have understood. Since you asked, you should fill out a form!!! [^^]
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
Hi Lady M, nice of you to drop by. I do guess I should accustom my tongue to say fill out from now on!
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
9 May 09
nothing i think. it just depends on the user. and of course the one who would interpret it. more of like "punasan mo ng uhog" and "punasin mo ang uhog". lol @Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
15 May 09
Oh, I see. Probably mucus? Booger if hardened. It is yucky when the nose is "filled up" with "uhog". English lesson 101! Haha.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
What's an "uhog"? If I may ask. hehe. I am Visayan and the word is quite unfamiliar to me.
1 person likes this
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
13 May 09
well, i actually lack the exact english term for "uhog". but i can give you the english meaning: an "uhog" is that thing that runs down your nose when you have a cold .
.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
9 May 09
Hey Theresaaiza! If you are going to "fill out" a form that is
the words to use, without the dash or hyphen as we call it.
You would use the words "fill up" if you were going to fill up
your gas tank or a fill up a basket or something like that. I
tried to make that as easy for you as I could! If you have
any more questions I will be more than happy to explain! I
know that the English language is very confusing! It is even
confusing to people that have been using it for many years!
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
I still need an explanation why human cannot be humen when it's plural!
Just kidding!
Just kidding!
@sweetashoney (3594)
• United States
9 May 09
Like everyone has already said here there is a difference. When you are using fill up you are pouring something in until it is full. When you use fill out you are writing something.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
11 May 09
But aren't you also filling up the spaces when you are filling out a form?
Oh deeeaaarrrr, my head's swirling with confusion now. Hehe, just kidding!
Oh deeeaaarrrr, my head's swirling with confusion now. Hehe, just kidding!
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
9 May 09
Hi : )
You fill out a form or you fill out your jeans...no dash needed. On the other hand, you fill up a cup or fill up (or just plain fill) your gas tank, no dash needed.
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
30 Aug 17
You fill out a form. You fill up your tank at the gas station. I never spell either one with a dash. They are just two separate words.
