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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
filed a theft
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "filed a theft" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "filed a theft report" or "reported a theft." Example: "After discovering the missing items, she promptly filed a theft report with the police."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
The father had filed a theft report.
News & Media
The contest between former Gov. James J. Blanchard and Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm for the Democratic nomination for governor grew nastier as a Blanchard supporter filed a theft report that accused a Granholm worker of stealing finance documents.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
But the officer did not file a theft claim until 12 days after Ball was shot and killed.
News & Media
While it used to be that passengers had only one party to deal with in filing a theft claim, now there are two possibilities.
News & Media
Call or visit the police precinct in which the theft occurred within 24 hours to file a theft report.
Wiki
(Her father filed a report of grand theft, according to The Los Angeles Times, asserting that paintings, jewelry and other valuables had been stripped from her Beverly Hills home).
News & Media
"It's on this basis that we have filed a complaint for data theft and breach of the law firm's trust.
News & Media
Local media reported the company had filed a complaint about the thefts resulting in the arrest of some protesters.
News & Media
Workers have filed a raft of wage-theft lawsuits against Walmart sub-contractors, but the California suit was the first in which a judge allowed Walmart itself to be included.
News & Media
Officers filed a report describing the incident as a theft — a serious crime under FBI guidelines.
News & Media
Unless you are willing to file an identity theft report which could launch an investigation leading to the person who stole your identity, you will have to take responsibility for paying the debt which this person created.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the phrase "filed a theft report" or "reported a theft" for correct and clear communication. Avoid using "filed a theft" as it's grammatically incorrect.
Common error
Avoid the error of using "filed a theft" as a standalone phrase. Always specify what is being filed, such as "a report" or "a claim". This clarifies the action and ensures grammatical correctness.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "filed a theft" is an incorrect or incomplete construction. The verb 'file' requires a direct object that specifies what is being filed; hence, it needs to be followed by 'a report', 'a claim', or similar. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it's not standard English.
Frequent in
News & Media
67%
Wiki
33%
Science
0%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "filed a theft" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct usage is "filed a theft report" or simply "reported a theft". Ludwig AI indicates that "filed a theft" is not standard English. Although some instances appear in news and media, these are generally considered errors. Therefore, using alternative and grammatically correct phrases is crucial for clear communication. Always specify what is being filed to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
filed a theft report
Specifies the type of document filed, making it clear that a formal report regarding the theft was submitted.
reported a theft
Focuses on the action of reporting, emphasizing that the theft was communicated to the authorities or relevant parties.
lodged a theft complaint
Uses 'lodged' to indicate the formal submission of a complaint related to the theft.
reported an incident of theft
Clarifies that an incident involving theft was reported.
submitted a claim for theft
Emphasizes the act of submitting an insurance or compensation claim due to the theft.
alerted authorities to a theft
Emphasizes that the authorities were notified about the theft incident.
made a theft accusation
Highlights the act of accusing someone of theft, rather than just reporting the incident.
initiated a theft investigation
Shifts the focus to the commencement of an investigation following the theft report.
pressed charges for theft
Implies legal action is being pursued as a consequence of the theft.
brought a theft case
Refers to the act of initiating legal proceedings related to the theft.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say someone reported a theft to the police?
The correct phrase is to say someone "filed a theft report" or "reported a theft" to the police.
Is it grammatically correct to say "filed a theft"?
No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "filed a theft report" or simply "reported a theft".
What does it mean to file a theft report?
Filing a theft report means submitting a formal written account of a theft incident to the police or relevant authorities for investigation and record-keeping purposes.
Are there other ways to report a theft besides filing a report?
Yes, besides filing a report, you can verbally "report a theft" to the police, although filing a written report is often preferred for documentation.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested