"Fill out" versus "Fill up"

[Cornelius]

Hi... just want to clarify..

which one's correct?
1. Fill out the the application form
2. Fill up the application form

when do you use "fill out" and when do you use "fill up"??

Many Thanks in advance,
cornelius

[Conchita]

You can say either 'fill in', 'fill out' or 'fill up' (less used perhaps) a form.

[Cornelius]

Thanks conchita....

---cornelius

[Yankee]

Hi Cornelius

I've never heard anyone say "fill up an application form". You should use either "fill in" or "fill out".

You can fill up a drawer with forms, or fill up the tank of a car with fuel, etc.
To me, "fill up" has the sense that you fill some kind of receptacle so completely that there isn't any empty space left at all.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi Cornelius,

I would certainly go along with Amy's point that 'fill in' and 'fill out' are the preferred choices for completing an application form but I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of using 'fill up' in this sense because it does give the strong idea of completing all the questions on the applicaton form.

A
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Prezbucky]

another use:

fill out = gain weight

Ex:
Tom began to fill out during his freshman year of college.
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Cornelius]

I see.. but maybe i should really start using "fill out" :-D It's just that i was used to using "fill up" until suddenly "fill out" seems to become more widely used.

cornelius

[Prezbucky]

The phrase "fill up" is also somewhat commonly used -- in the US, at least -- to refer to the act of pumping gasoline into one's car.

Example...

Cornelius: What're you doing at this gas station, Tom?

Tom: Oh, just filling (her, it, etc. -- the car) up.
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Conchita]

[Cornelius]

we do have great script writers here.. heehheh.. thanks for all your replies ;)