File past tense

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Meaning of file

to place (a document) in a file.

Infinitive

Word: save /seɪv/
Examples:
  • 1. Every week, she files her reports promptly.
  • 2. He files his nails every other day to keep them neat.
  • 3. They file their documents meticulously to ensure nothing is misplaced.

Past Simple

Word: filed /faɪld/
Examples:
  • 1. I filed all the documents before leaving the office yesterday.
  • 2. She filed her nails while waiting for the meeting to start.
  • 3. The clerk filed the report last week, but we haven't seen the results yet.

Past Participle

Word: filed /faɪld/
Examples:
  • 1. The report has been filed away for future reference.
  • 2. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.
  • 3. All the necessary files have been carefully filed by the team.

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Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual Actions. Use the Present Simple for actions that happen regularly or habits.
    Example. I file my documents every Friday.
    Example. The office files contain client information.
    Example. The court files the case next Monday.
    Example. First, you file the application, and then you wait for approval.
  2. General Truths. Use it to describe general truths or facts.
    Example. I file my documents every Friday.
    Example. The office files contain client information.
    Example. The court files the case next Monday.
    Example. First, you file the application, and then you wait for approval.
  3. Scheduled Events (in the near future). For scheduled events in the near future, primarily in timetables or programs.
    Example. I file my documents every Friday.
    Example. The office files contain client information.
    Example. The court files the case next Monday.
    Example. First, you file the application, and then you wait for approval.
  4. Instructions or Directions. When giving instructions or explaining directions.
    Example. I file my documents every Friday.
    Example. The office files contain client information.
    Example. The court files the case next Monday.
    Example. First, you file the application, and then you wait for approval.

Past Simple

  1. Completed Actions in the Past. Use the Past Simple for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.
    Example. I filed the report yesterday afternoon.
    Example. I filed all the applications, cleaned my desk, and left the office early last Friday.
    Example. When I worked there, I usually filed documents at the end of the day.
    Example. She filed for bankruptcy three times before turning her business around.
  2. Series of Completed Actions. For a series of actions that were completed in the past, one after another.
    Example. I filed the report yesterday afternoon.
    Example. I filed all the applications, cleaned my desk, and left the office early last Friday.
    Example. When I worked there, I usually filed documents at the end of the day.
    Example. She filed for bankruptcy three times before turning her business around.
  3. Habits in the Past. To talk about habits or repeated actions that happened in the past but not in the present.
    Example. I filed the report yesterday afternoon.
    Example. I filed all the applications, cleaned my desk, and left the office early last Friday.
    Example. When I worked there, I usually filed documents at the end of the day.
    Example. She filed for bankruptcy three times before turning her business around.
  4. Past Facts or Generalizations. For stating facts or generalizations which were true in the past but not necessarily true now.
    Example. I filed the report yesterday afternoon.
    Example. I filed all the applications, cleaned my desk, and left the office early last Friday.
    Example. When I worked there, I usually filed documents at the end of the day.
    Example. She filed for bankruptcy three times before turning her business around.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect Tenses.
    Example. I have already filed the taxes for this year.
    Example. She realized that she had filed the documents in the wrong folder.
    Example. By next week, we will have filed all necessary reports.
    Example. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.
  2. Present Perfect. To talk about experiences or actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past.
    Example. I have already filed the taxes for this year.
    Example. She realized that she had filed the documents in the wrong folder.
    Example. By next week, we will have filed all necessary reports.
    Example. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.
  3. Past Perfect. For actions that were completed before another action or time in the past.
    Example. I have already filed the taxes for this year.
    Example. She realized that she had filed the documents in the wrong folder.
    Example. By next week, we will have filed all necessary reports.
    Example. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.
  4. Future Perfect. To indicate an action that will have been completed by a certain future time.
    Example. I have already filed the taxes for this year.
    Example. She realized that she had filed the documents in the wrong folder.
    Example. By next week, we will have filed all necessary reports.
    Example. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.
  5. Passive Voice. For sentences where the focus is on the action, not who performed the action.
    Example. I have already filed the taxes for this year.
    Example. She realized that she had filed the documents in the wrong folder.
    Example. By next week, we will have filed all necessary reports.
    Example. The documents were filed by the clerk yesterday.

Common mistakes

— 01

Verb Conjugation Rules

Some learners might incorrectly apply conjugation rules that are meant for irregular verbs or verbs ending in specific letters, leading to mistaken forms of 'filed.' For example, adding an extra 'd' or 't' to create 'filedd' or 'filet' due to misunderstanding the regular conjugation pattern where simply adding '-ed' to the base form is correct.

— 02

Using the Base Form

A frequent mistake is using the base form 'file' instead of the past form 'filed' in sentences that refer to past actions. For instance, saying 'I file the report yesterday' instead of the correct 'I filed the report yesterday.' This mistake reflects a confusion about when to use the past tense to indicate completed actions.

— 03

Omitting the Past Participle

When forming perfect tenses, the past participle 'filed' should be used with the appropriate auxiliary verb (have/has/had). A common error is omitting the past participle form in such constructions, which leads to grammatically incomplete sentences. An example of this error would be saying 'I have file the documents before the meeting' instead of correctly stating 'I have filed the documents before the meeting.'

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'file'?

The past simple form of 'file' is 'filed'. It is used to describe an action that was completed at a specific time in the past. For example, 'Yesterday, I filed all the necessary documents.'

What is the past participle form of 'file'?

The past participle form of 'file' is also 'filed'. This form is used in perfect tenses to indicate actions that were completed at some point in the past or that have relevance to the present moment. For example, 'I have filed the reports you asked for.'

How do I use 'filed' in a sentence to indicate a past action?

To indicate a past action, 'filed' can be used with a subject followed by the verb in its past simple form. For example, 'The company filed for bankruptcy last year.' This sentence indicates that the action of filing for bankruptcy happened at a specific time in the past, which is last year.

Can you give an example of 'filed' used in a perfect tense?

Yes, to use 'filed' in a perfect tense, you can combine it with a form of the auxiliary verb 'have' to indicate an action that has been completed at some point in the past. For example, in the present perfect tense, you might say, 'We have already filed the application.' This sentence suggests that the action of filing the application is complete, and its effects or relevance continue into the present.