filing for divorce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filing for divorce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the legal process of formally ending a marriage. Example: "After years of unhappiness, she decided that filing for divorce was the best option for her future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few months later, they were again filing for divorce.

The Guardian - Film

One friend exhausted every effort she had, only to end up filing for divorce.

The New York Times

Halle Berry has spoken out over numerous tabloid reports after filing for divorce from Olivier Martinez.

Independent

Ruth waited six months for her husband's return before filing for divorce.

The New York Times - Magazine

Demi Moore has announced she has ended her marriage to Ashton Kutcher after filing for divorce.

The Guardian

By filing for divorce, many reasoned, a couple with two homes could then claim that each had only one home.

The New York Times

Sgt. First Class Eugene E. Giger was informed by his wife, Yolanda Giger, last October that she was filing for divorce.

The New York Times

"He's been addicted to cocaine almost your whole life," his mother informs him at last, explaining why she's filing for divorce.

The New York Times - Books

Turns out that the answer to that question was not, in fact, records that showed the Obamas almost filing for divorce.

The New Yorker

In any event, she had a change of heart and sold the maisonette in September 1927, a few months after filing for divorce.

The New York Times

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Katy is hardly speaking to anyone right now, but she called Rihanna as soon as she heard Russell was filing for divorce.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of privacy and sensitivity when discussing "filing for divorce", particularly in journalistic or personal contexts. Respect the involved parties and avoid unnecessary details.

Common error

Avoid using "separation" interchangeably with "filing for divorce". Separation can be a precursor to divorce, but it's not the same as initiating the legal process to end the marriage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filing for divorce" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the action of initiating legal proceedings to end a marriage. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to report or discuss the commencement of divorce processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filing for divorce" is a grammatically correct and widely used gerund phrase that refers to the legal action of initiating divorce proceedings. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal reporting and informal discussions. When using this phrase, be mindful of the sensitive nature of the topic and ensure accuracy in distinguishing it from related terms like separation. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiating divorce proceedings

Focuses on the formal commencement of the legal process.

starting a divorce case

Emphasizes the beginning of a legal action related to divorce.

seeking a dissolution of marriage

A more formal term emphasizing the legal termination of the marriage.

lodging a divorce petition

Highlights the act of formally submitting the divorce request.

applying for a divorce decree

Focuses on the desired outcome of the divorce process: the official decree.

commencing divorce litigation

Highlights the potentially adversarial nature of the divorce process.

divorce application process

Highlights the process of divorce application.

submitting divorce papers

Focuses on the act of submitting the required documents.

launching divorce action

Emphasizes the active initiation of divorce.

pursuing a divorce

Highlights the ongoing effort to finalize the divorce.

FAQs

What does "filing for divorce" mean?

"Filing for divorce" refers to the formal legal process of initiating a divorce. It involves submitting the necessary paperwork to a court to begin the proceedings to legally end a marriage.

What's the difference between "separation" and "filing for divorce"?

Separation is an informal agreement or arrangement where a couple lives apart, whereas "filing for divorce" is the official legal process of ending a marriage. A couple can be separated without filing for divorce, and separation doesn't legally dissolve the marriage.

What can I say instead of "filing for divorce"?

You can use alternatives like "initiating divorce proceedings", "seeking a divorce", or "starting a divorce case" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "filing for divorce" or "file for divorce"?

"Filing for divorce" (gerund) refers to the action or process, while "file for divorce" (verb) is an instruction or statement of intent. For example, "She is filing for divorce" (process) vs. "They plan to file for divorce" (intent).