video tape (videotape)

Writers often split videotape into two words ("video tape") or hyphenate it ("video-tape"). That looks dated or inconsistent. Use videotape for the physical tape or recorded medium; use video as a verb when you mean to record digitally or generically.

Below: clear rules, quick corrections, many wrong/right examples, rewrite templates, and a simple memory trick to make the change automatic.

Quick answer

Use videotape (one word) for the physical tape or a recorded medium. Use video as a verb when recording digitally or generically.

Noun: videotape - The archivist labeled each videotape.
Verb (tape): videotape - We videotaped the interview (on tape).
Verb (digital): video - I'll video the rehearsal (on my phone).
Avoid "video tape" and "video-tape" in modern edited prose unless quoting historical text.

Core explanation: why videotape is one word

Videotape is a closed compound: video + tape fused as the technology and word became common. Like email or wallpaper, frequent, specific items often close into a single word.

If you mean the medium or the recorded item → videotape (one word).
If you mean the act of recording and no tape is involved → video (verb) is natural.

Wrong: I found an old video tape of my graduation.
Right: I found an old videotape of my graduation.

Spelling, hyphenation, and spacing notes

Use videotape in nearly all modern writing. "Video-tape" is older; "video tape" (two words) is now usually flagged as incorrect.

videotape - standard for the tape or recording.
Keep separate when video modifies a different noun: video camera, video recording, video editor.
Avoid replacing valid phrases (e.g., video camera) when running global find-and-replace.

Wrong: She bought a video-tape recorder at the swap meet.
Right: She bought a videotape recorder at the swap meet.
Keep: I need a new video camera.

Grammar: noun vs. verb (videotape vs. video)

Noun: videotape = the physical tape or recorded medium. Verb: videotape = to record onto videotape. Many writers use video as a verb for recording in general, especially when no tape is involved.

Noun: The museum houses three digitized videotapes from 1986.
Verb (tape): They videotaped the interview on VHS.
Verb (digital): I'll video the talk on my phone.

Wrong: Can you video tape the lecture for students who are absent?
Right: Can you videotape the lecture for students who are absent?
Alternative: If recording digitally: Can you video the lecture for students who are absent?

Real usage and tone: work, school, and casual contexts

Match the term to tone and purpose. In formal, archival, or academic writing, use videotape for the medium. In casual speech or social posts, video as a verb is common; in edited casual writing, prefer videotape for references to physical tapes.

Work (formal): use videotape for inventory, evidence, archives.
School (academic): use videotape in citations and media analysis.
Casual: video as a verb is fine; use videotape when you mean physical tapes.

Work_wrong: Please archive the old video tapes in the storage room.
Work_right: Please archive the old videotapes in the storage room.
School_wrong: For your paper, analyze the video tape from the local broadcast.
School_right: For your paper, analyze the videotape from the local broadcast.
Casual_wrong: I have a shelf of old video tapes in the attic.
Casual_right: I have a shelf of old videotapes in the attic.

Examples gallery: common wrong/right pairs and copy-paste rewrites

Immediate replacements and short rewrite templates you can paste into documents.

Wrong: We used to watch movies on old video tapes.
Right: We used to watch movies on old videotapes.
Wrong: The compliance team requested the video tape as evidence.
Right: The compliance team requested the videotape as evidence.
Wrong: The museum restored a rare video tape from 1984.
Right: The museum restored a rare videotape from 1984.
Wrong: I need a new video tape for my camcorder.
Right: I need a new videotape for my camcorder.
Wrong: She put the footage on a video tape and mailed it.
Right: She put the footage on a videotape and mailed it.
Wrong: They saved the client interview to several video tapes.
Right: They saved the client interview to several videotapes.
Rewrite template 1 (medium): "old video tape" → "old videotape".
Rewrite template 2 (action): "video tape the event" → "videotape the event" or "video the event" (if digital).
Rewrite template 3 (modifier): Keep separate when modifying another noun: "video camera", "video recording".
Work: Attach the videotape inventory to the project folder.
School: Transcribe the five-minute segment from the videotape.
Casual: I'll just video that on my phone and send it to you.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually makes the right choice obvious.

Rewrite help: a short checklist you can use instantly

Quick steps when you see "video tape" or are unsure which form to use.

1) Are you referring to the physical tape or recorded medium? → use "videotape".
2) Are you describing recording and no tape is involved? → use "video" as a verb.
3) Is "video" modifying a different noun (camera, editing)? → keep two words.
4) Search for "video tape" and "video-tape" and replace with "videotape" where appropriate; check each hit.

Rewrite: "Can you video tape the rehearsal?" → "Can you videotape the rehearsal?" or "Can you video the rehearsal?" (if digital).
Rewrite: "The video tape recorder stopped working." → "The videotape recorder stopped working."
Rewrite: "Scan the video tapes for the archive." → "Scan the videotapes for the archive."

Memory trick and editor shortcuts

Make the correction automatic with a few habits.

Mnemonic: Treat "videotape" like "toothpaste" - a common item, one word.
Editor shortcut: Add find-and-replace rules: "video tape" → "videotape" and "video-tape" → "videotape".
Spellcheck trick: Flag "video tape" and suggest "videotape" in your personal dictionary or style sheet.

Usage: Run a document search for both "video tape" and "video-tape" and review each result - don't blindly replace where "video" modifies another noun.

Similar mistakes and quick corrections

Other compounds moved from two words or a hyphen to a closed form. Apply the same checks: meaning, dictionary, and usage.

email (not e-mail)
website (not web site)
playback (one word for the noun) vs. play back (verb phrase)
video game remains two words because "video" modifies "game".

Wrong: Please send the e-mail to the archives.
Right: Please send the email to the archives.
Wrong: I booked a web site review.
Right: I booked a website review.

Style exceptions and historical notes

Preserve original spellings when transcribing or quoting historical sources. Retain brand stylings when required. Otherwise, normalise to videotape in editorial prose.

Keep exact historical spellings in quotations or transcripts (add [sic] if needed).
Preserve trademarked or brand-specific stylings when required.
When in doubt, follow your organization's dictionary or style guide.

Usage: Quote: The 1978 brochure reads "new video-tape technology" - preserve the wording in the quote.

FAQ

Is "videotape" one word or two?

One word in modern usage when referring to the tape or the recorded medium. "Video tape" or "video-tape" is generally outdated except in quoted historical text.

Can I use "video" as a verb instead of "videotape"?

"To video" is common for digital recording. Use "videotape" as a verb mainly when tape was actually used or when emphasizing the medium.

Should I hyphenate "video-tape"?

No. The hyphenated form is old-fashioned. Use "videotape" in modern writing and keep the hyphen only when reproducing historical material.

How do I correct "video tape" across a long document?

Search for "video tape" and "video-tape" and replace with "videotape" where it refers to the medium. Manually check each instance to avoid changing valid phrases like "video camera."

Which style guides list "videotape" as one word?

Major dictionaries and mainstream style guides accept videotape as one word. Follow the specific manual your organization uses when required.

Want a quick check?

Run a find for "video tape" and "video-tape" and apply the rewrite templates above. A small, consistent fix like this improves readability and credibility across documents.