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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was filed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was filed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or administrative contexts to indicate that a document or application has been officially submitted or recorded. Example: "The complaint was filed with the court last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The suit was filed Monday morning.

News & Media

The New York Times

An appeal was filed in September.

News & Media

The New York Times

The German lawsuit was filed in Hamburg.

The lawsuit was filed yesterday in Ireland.

News & Media

Independent

Then, he says, it was filed away.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The suit was filed in July.

News & Media

The New York Times

Soon it was filed away.

A police report was filed.

News & Media

The New York Times

The indictment was filed today.

News & Media

The Guardian

The bankruptcy petition was filed.

News & Media

The New York Times

This Reuters dispatch was filed in 2004 10 years agogo!

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or official documents, use "was filed" to clearly indicate the date and action of submitting paperwork.

Common error

Avoid using "was filed" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The report was filed by the committee", consider "The committee filed the report" for a more concise sentence.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was filed" primarily functions as a passive verb construction. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase indicates the action of formally submitting or recording a document or claim. This construction is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts to denote official submission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was filed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb construction, predominantly found in formal contexts like news reporting, legal documentation, and administrative correspondence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is used to denote the official submission or registration of documents or claims. While versatile, remember to use the active voice when a more direct and concise statement is appropriate. To enhance clarity, consider related phrases like "was submitted" or "was registered" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

FAQs

How to use "was filed" in a sentence?

"Was filed" is used to indicate that a document or request has been officially submitted. For example, "The lawsuit "was filed" in court yesterday".

What can I say instead of "was filed"?

Alternatives include "was submitted", "was registered", or "was lodged", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the case was filed by the lawyer" or "the lawyer filed the case"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the lawyer filed the case" is more direct and uses the active voice. The passive form, "the case was filed by the lawyer", is acceptable but often less concise.

What's the difference between "was filed" and "was submitted"?

"Was filed" typically implies an official recording or placement of a document, especially in legal or administrative contexts. "Was submitted" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of formal presentation of something for consideration.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: