Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

filed a theft

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The father had filed a theft report.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

Call or visit the police precinct in which the theft occurred within 24 hours to file a theft report.

(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

The New York Times

"It's on this basis that we have filed a complaint for data theft and breach of the law firm's trust.

News & Media

The Guardian

Local media reported the company had filed a complaint about the thefts resulting in the arrest of some protesters.

News & Media

The Guardian

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

Huffington Post

Officers filed a report describing the incident as a theft — a serious crime under FBI guidelines.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

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.

Show more...

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.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Rare

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.

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.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: