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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I was filed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was filed" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that someone was recorded or documented in a file, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "After the meeting, I was filed away in the company's records for future reference."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I visited his workshop in the valley, I was filed with new hope the minute I walked in the door.

News & Media

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"All I was filing was what was coming through".

News & Media

The New York Times

"And then, a few years later, I got a job with Lucasfilm where I was filing artwork in their library.

News & Media

The New York Times

By the 1980s, as factories closed, I was filing hopeless lawsuits to claw back bits and pieces of benefits.

News & Media

The New York Times

Dormant memories awakened: I was a reporter for The Baltimore Sun, and I was filing stories in the newsroom faster than ever before.

News & Media

The New York Times

I had to tell her I was filing a report with the Department of Social Services — the child had clearly suffered an inflicted injury.

I arranged to meet my soon-to-be ex-husband at a restaurant to inform him that I was filing divorce papers the following day.

News & Media

TechCrunch

At 9, I was filing paperwork for various departments, and at 15 I became a teller.

News & Media

Huffington Post

I was filing papers in a basement office on Wooster Street.

News & Media

Vice

While I was filing my nonsense about a soccer game, I also was watching a white Bronco crawling along deserted L.A. freeways.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

"I'm filing right now".

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I was filed" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "I was documented" or specify what was filed, such as "My report was filed".

Common error

A common mistake is using "filed" passively when it requires an object or clearer context. Instead of saying "I was filed", clarify the subject by specifying what was being filed or documented.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was filed" is intended to function as a statement indicating some form of record-keeping or documentation. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect, making its function unclear and ineffective. It is an attempt to use the passive voice but lacks proper context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Tech

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was filed" is flagged as grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI, rendering its intended meaning unclear. While the phrase aims to convey that someone or something has been officially documented or recorded, its awkward phrasing undermines its communicative purpose. Predominantly found in News & Media and Tech contexts, this expression is best avoided in formal writing. Clearer alternatives such as "I was documented" or My application was filed offer more precise and grammatically sound ways to express similar ideas. Stick to conventional, well-understood phrasing to avoid confusion.

FAQs

What does "I was filed" mean?

The phrase "I was filed" is not grammatically correct and lacks a clear meaning. It might be intended to mean "I was documented" or that a document related to you was formally submitted or recorded.

How can I rephrase "I was filed" to be more accurate?

Instead of "I was filed", you could say "I was documented", or "My information was recorded", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to use "filed" in the passive voice like "I was filed"?

While "filed" can be used in the passive voice, it usually requires a specific subject or context. "I was filed" sounds awkward. A better construction would be something like "My application was filed".

What's the difference between "I was filed" and "I was documented"?

"I was filed" is not standard English and may not be understood. "I was documented" is a clearer way to express that information about you was recorded or archived.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: