Submitted in writing

Question

Requests for vacation time must be submitted writing at least two weeks in advance.

(A)at (B)of (C)in (D)on

Hi,

I want to pick C to fit in the above, but I'm still not sure.

Besides, is "writing" optional in the above? If not, why not? Thanks.

Ferdis · Accepted Answer

Yes, (C) is correct.

Omitting 'in writing' would change the meaning: verbal requests are not allowed, only written ones.

Angliholic · Answer

ferdisYes, (C) is correct.

Omitting 'in writing' would change the meaning: verbal requests are not allowed, only written ones.

Thanks, Ferdis.

Is it the same to say "Written requests for vacation time must be submitted at least two weeks in advance?"

Btw, is "time" in the context optional? Thanks.

Ferdis · Answer

Is it the same to say "Written requests for vacation time must be submitted at least two weeks in advance?"

Not quite. Here you only make a statement about written requests, but what about other types? In the other sentence you are basically saying that all requests must be written requests, not here.

I think you could omit 'time', yes.

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, Ferdis.

Doesn't "requests for vacation time" in the base sentence clearly indicate the certain type of requests? And therefore, this type of requests for vacation time must be written requests.

Ferdis · Answer

There can still be verbal requests for vacation time. What about those? Can I just ask my boss for vacation one day in advance? I mean, sure, written requests must be submitted two weeks in advance, but my request is not written, right?

The point is that, in the first sentence, you restrict requests in two ways: they must be in written form (in writing), and they must be submitted two weeks in advance. In the second sentence, you only specifically restrict written requests in one way: that those be submitted two weeks in advance.

Submitted in writing

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