was not filed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not filed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating that a document, application, or similar item has not been submitted or recorded. Example: "The report was not filed by the deadline, which may affect the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr. Bout would be freed only if an appeal was not filed within 72 hours.

The New York Times

But the first of these was not filed until a little less than three years ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

The proceedings were secret, and Judge Garzón's order was not filed with a court clerk.

The New York Times

His federal court lawsuit on which the justices acted was not filed until Oct. 18.

The New York Times

But, he said, the complaint was not filed, because local officials from Henan caught the group.

The New York Times

The first Redskins trademark was issued in 1967, and the lawsuit was not filed until 1992.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Her big mistake, she says now, was not filing a Medicaid application sooner.

The New York Times - Health

And in many cases that was not filing a Title IX complaint.

Science Magazine

I felt betrayed because it wasn't filed as a hate crime.

Huffington Post

The missing person's report wasn't filed until Saturday afternoon.

Huffington Post

Suhr dropped the woman off at her home that evening, but a police report wasn't filed until that Sunday.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was not filed", ensure that the context clearly indicates what should have been filed. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "was not filed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing seem weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction for more direct and impactful writing. For example, instead of "the report was not filed", try "they did not file the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not filed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (filing) did not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It describes the state of a document or action that has not been officially registered or submitted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

11%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not filed" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a document, report, or application has not been officially submitted or registered. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Its frequency and usage across varied authoritative sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, demonstrates its versatility. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context in which it is used, as it can often imply a problem, delay, or omission. When using "was not filed", ensure clarity by specifying what exactly was not filed and consider using active voice constructions for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasn't submitted

Replaces "filed" with "submitted", focusing on the act of presenting something for consideration.

was not lodged

Uses "lodged" instead of "filed", suggesting a formal placement or registration.

was not registered

Emphasizes the absence of official registration or recording.

was not recorded

Focuses on the lack of a record being made of something.

was not processed

Highlights the lack of handling or dealing with something according to procedures.

was not sent

Focuses on the action of sending and can be used when the document needs to be sent.

was not presented

Focuses on the action of showing or offering something for consideration

was not turned in

Replaces "filed" with "turned in", used in more informal contexts

remained unfiled

Highlights the condition of something not being filed until a particular point.

was not documented

Emphasizes the absence of a written or official record

FAQs

How can I use "was not filed" in a sentence?

You can use "was not filed" to indicate that a document, report, or application wasn't officially submitted or recorded. For example: "The lawsuit "was not filed" until after he left the Justice Department".

What are some alternatives to "was not filed"?

Alternatives include "wasn't submitted", "was not lodged", or "was not registered". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was not filed" and "was not completed"?

"Was not filed" means something wasn't officially submitted or recorded, while "was not completed" means something wasn't finished. A report can be completed but "was not filed", or vice versa.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing why something "was not filed"?

While "was not filed" is in the passive voice, sometimes it's appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant. However, using the active voice (e.g., "they did not file the report") can often make the sentence more direct and impactful.