down load (download)

Use download as one closed word for both the verb (to transfer a file) and the noun (the file you get). Avoid the spaced form down load and the hyphenated form down-load.

Quick answer

Write download as one word. Do not write down load or down-load. Use download, downloads, downloading, downloaded.

Verb: I will download the report.
Noun: The download failed.
Progressive/past: They are downloading the video; he downloaded it yesterday.

Core explanation: why download is one word

Download is a closed compound: the components down + load have fused into a single word. Modern dictionaries and most style guides list download as the standard form for both noun and verb uses.

Treat it like other closed compounds such as email and website.
Forms to use: download, downloads, downloading, downloaded.

Wrong: I need to down load the latest update.
Right: I need to download the latest update.

Spacing and hyphenation: when a space or hyphen is wrong

Compounds in English appear as open (two words), hyphenated, or closed (one word). Download is closed-never split or hyphenate it in ordinary writing. Hyphens are only for temporary or deliberately styled constructions, not for download.

Open: data entry (two words)
Hyphenated: sometimes used for clarity in rare, temporary cases
Closed: download, email, smartphone

Wrong: Please down-load the folder and confirm.
Right: Please download the folder and confirm.
Wrong: Can you down load the presentation before the meeting?
Right: Can you download the presentation before the meeting?

Grammar quick: verb forms and noun uses

Download follows regular verb conjugation. Spaced or hyphenated variants are incorrect in conjugated forms.

Third-person: She downloads the file.
Progressive: They are downloading the video now.
Past: He downloaded the report yesterday.
Noun: The download is corrupt; start it again.

Wrong: I am down loading the attachments now.
Right: I am downloading the attachments now.
Wrong: She has down loaded three files today.
Right: She has downloaded three files today.

Edit confidently - small errors add up

A split form like down load makes even careful writing look inconsistent. Run a quick search for likely split forms and use an automated checker to fix spacing and tense at once.

If you want instant rewrite suggestions, use a grammar tool to speed up edits and preserve tone.

Real usage: ready-to-use examples for work, school, and casual tone

Spelling doesn't change with tone. Copy these lines into emails, assignments, or chat to avoid mistakes.

Work: Please download the Q3 report from the shared drive before the meeting.
Work: The download failed; IT is troubleshooting now.
Work: Can you download and attach the final slides to the invite?
School: Download the lab dataset and start cleaning it for the assignment.
School: The download link for lecture two is in the syllabus.
School: After the download, import the file into the analysis software.
Casual: Just download the app and we'll play later.
Casual: Did you get the download I sent last night?
Casual: Quick download and you're good to go.

Try your own sentence

Check the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually shows whether download is the right form.

Examples you can copy: common wrong → right pairs

Search for 'down ' (down + space) in your draft to find likely candidates to replace with download.

Wrong: Down load the installer from the company portal.
Right: Download the installer from the company portal.
Wrong: Can you down load the video for me?
Right: Can you download the video for me?
Wrong: I made a bad down load and need to redo it.
Right: I made a bad download and need to redo it.
Wrong: Please down load and review the attached contract.
Right: Please download and review the attached contract.
Wrong: She down-loads files to her tablet every night.
Right: She downloads files to her tablet every night.
Wrong: The down load is complete; open it from downloads.
Right: The download is complete; open it from Downloads.

Rewrite help: three quick steps + pasteable rewrites

Three-step fix: 1) Remove the space or hyphen (down load / down-load → download). 2) Check tense. 3) Re-read for flow and punctuation.

Step 1: Find 'down ' or 'down-' in your document.
Step 2: Convert to download and correct the tense if needed.
Step 3: Run a quick read or spell-check.

Rewrite: I will down load and install the app later. → I will download and install the app later.
Rewrite: Could you down load the slides for class? → Could you download the slides for class?
Rewrite: Please down load the files, then send me a note. → Please download the files, then send me a note.

Memory trick and proofreading shortcuts

Mnemonic: Say it as one beat-'download'-not 'down load'. If it sounds like one action, write it as one word.
Search tip: look for 'down ' (down + space) and 'down-' to locate split forms quickly.
Autocorrect: add an editor rule to replace 'down load' with 'download'.

Usage: A quick search for 'down ' found split forms that were corrected to download.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Writers who split download often split other fused compounds. Check these pairs while editing.

login vs log in - login (noun), log in (verb)
backup vs back up - backup (noun/adjective), back up (verb)
setup vs set up - setup (noun), set up (verb)
email, website, smartphone - these are closed compounds now

Wrong: Please log-in to the portal and down load the file.
Right: Please log in to the portal and download the file.
Wrong: Please set-up the printer and test a print.
Right: Please set up the printer and test a print.

FAQ

Is it download or down load?

Download is correct. The two-word form down load is incorrect in modern English.

Should I ever write down-load with a hyphen?

No. Major style guides treat download as closed. Hyphenation is unnecessary and uncommon.

What about downloading vs down loading?

Use downloading as one word. Progressive and participle forms follow the closed pattern: download, downloads, downloading, downloaded.

How can I quickly find split-down errors in a long document?

Search for 'down ' (down followed by a space) and for 'down-' (hyphen) to locate incorrect forms, then replace with download where appropriate.

Is the noun download spelled the same as the verb?

Yes. The noun and verb share the same form: download. Example: The download failed. I will download it again.

Want a fast check?

Paste a sentence into a grammar or spell checker to see spacing and hyphenation suggestions. A quick search for 'down ' plus an automated check catches most errors.

Try a grammar tool for instant rewrites and spacing fixes if you edit frequently-small automated checks save time and keep tone consistent.