a computer file

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a computer file" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a digital document or data stored on a computer. Example: "Please save your work as a computer file so that we can easily access it later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This digital format is stored in a computer file.

Stanford University

His middle daughter, Maria Murnane, keeps a computer file of her father's e-mail messages.

The New York Times - Tech

There is a computer file entitled "Purge of Items Declared Withdrawn," which shows troubling losses.

The New Yorker

And you can't put a computer file in a manila folder.

The Washington Post

Of course, a word in a computer file cannot kill you.

The New York Times

Like a computer file corrupted by a virus, their life narrative has been invaded.

The New York Times

Second generation solid freeforming devices will have the capability to render both shape and the spatial arrangement of composition directly from a computer file.

Chemical Engineering Science

The "coin" doesn't exist physically: it is a virtual currency that exists only as a computer file.

The Guardian - Tech

"There's a computer file in my head from seeing a lot of designs in space," she said.

The New York Times

Notable Quotes Many offices keep a computer file that is updated whenever someone says something funny, unusual, or profound.

The New York Times - Tech

In other words, use leader/06 code "m," a computer file 008, and a serial 006.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the format of a file, be specific (e.g., "a PDF computer file" or "a JPEG computer file") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a computer file" as a catch-all term. Specify the file type or content when possible to provide more context (e.g., "a data file", "a document file", or "an image file").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a computer file" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a digital file stored on a computer, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a computer file" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a digital file stored on a computer. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from various sources, including news, science, and academic publications. The phrase serves primarily as a noun phrase for identification and reference. While versatile, consider specifying the file type for added clarity. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is suitable for a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

digital file

A more generic term for a file in digital format.

data file

Emphasizes the file's role as a container for data.

digital document

Focuses on the content being a document rather than just data.

electronic record

Highlights the record-keeping aspect of the file.

computerized record

Highlights that the record is stored using a computer.

binary file

Emphasizes the file's storage of data in binary format.

machine-readable file

Indicates that the file is formatted for computer processing.

software file

Specific to files containing software or programs.

image file

Specifically refers to a file containing image data.

text file

Specifically refers to a file containing text data.

FAQs

How can I use "a computer file" in a sentence?

You can use "a computer file" to refer to any type of file stored digitally on a computer. For instance, "Please save your document as "a computer file" on your desktop".

What's the difference between "a computer file" and "a digital file"?

While both terms are similar, "a digital file" is a broader term encompassing any file in digital format, whereas "a computer file" specifically implies it's stored on a computer. They are often interchangeable depending on the context.

Which is correct, "computer file" or "a computer file"?

Both are correct, but ""a computer file"" is used when referring to a single, unspecified file. "Computer file" (without the article) can be used as a general term.

What can I say instead of "a computer file"?

You can use alternatives like "data file", "digital document", or "electronic record" depending on the context. The best choice depends on what you want to emphasize about the file.