have been filed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been filed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that an action has been completed or carried out by someone else. Example: "The documents for the project have been filed with the government office." This sentence means that someone has taken the action of filing the documents, but it is not specified who did it. Other examples of using "have been filed" in a sentence: - All the necessary paperwork has been filed for the company merger. - The report must have been filed by now, as it was due yesterday. - The police informed me that charges have been filed against the suspect. - The appeal has been filed with the court, but a decision has not yet been made. - The insurance claim was denied because it had not been filed within the required time frame.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lawsuits have been filed.

The New York Times

No lawsuits have been filed.

The New York Times - Health

No charges have been filed.

The New York Times

(No criminal charges have been filed).

The New York Times - Arts

She said no charges have been filed.

The New York Times

The lawsuit could have been filed anywhere.

The New York Times - Health

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against it.

The New York Times

I assume he would have been filed.

Independent

No criminal charges have been filed yet.

The New York Times

And 11 derivative lawsuits have been filed.

The New York Times

No formal charges have been filed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been filed", ensure the subject clearly indicates what has been submitted. For example, "The legal documents have been filed with the court."

Common error

Avoid using "have been filed" when the action is ongoing or future. Use "are being filed" or "will be filed" instead to maintain accurate tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been filed" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action of filing or submitting something has been completed. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, from legal documents to charges and complaints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been filed" is a very common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the completion of a filing or submission process. According to Ludwig, it's frequently found in News & Media and carries a neutral tone. This phrase is useful for conveying that documents, lawsuits, charges, or other items have been officially lodged. Ensure accurate tense usage and clarity in subject-verb agreement for effective communication. While alternative phrases like "were submitted" or "were lodged" can be used, the specific context should guide the choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were submitted

Focuses on the act of submission, emphasizing the action taken.

have been lodged

Emphasizes the formal placement or deposit of something.

have been registered

Highlights the official recording or enrollment of something.

have been processed

Focuses on the handling and completion of a task or application.

were initiated

Highlights the commencement or start of a formal procedure or process.

were presented

Focuses on the act of formally introducing or displaying something.

have been tendered

Emphasizes the formal offer or submission of something, often a bid or proposal.

have been dispatched

Highlights the act of sending something off, often referring to documents or items.

were forwarded

Emphasizes the act of sending something on to a subsequent destination or recipient.

were transmitted

Highlights the act of sending something across a distance, often referring to data or signals.

FAQs

How is "have been filed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have been filed" indicates that a document, charge, lawsuit, or another item has been officially submitted or registered. For example, "The lawsuit "has been filed" in court."

What are some alternatives to "have been filed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "were submitted", "were lodged", or "were registered" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "have been filed" and "were filed"?

"Have been filed" implies a continued relevance or present state resulting from the action, while "were filed" refers to a past action with no direct implication on the present. For example, "The documents have been filed, and the case is now active" versus "The documents were filed last week."

Is it correct to say "the charges have been filed against him"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. This sentence means that formal accusations or charges "have been brought" against the person in question.