files
files — noun
1. written or printed records about a particular person, company, or topic, often g
written or printed records about a particular person, company, or topic, often gathered together so they can be checked later
The police have detailed files on every burglary reported in the district last year.
pattern: files on [topic]
Felipe asked the human-resources clerk to pull the personnel files for the three new hires.
Hoa spent the morning reading old patient files in the hospital's basement archive.
The journalist requested the public files from city hall using a freedom-of-information letter.
- records
broader; any kept information including audio or numerical
- dossier
formal; usually a single bundle on one person
- case notes
narrower; medical or legal files specifically
文法句型
files on someone/something
the files
用法筆記
Typically appears in the plural with a defining phrase: 'files on X', 'X's files', 'the Y files'. Distinguish from sense 3 (computer data): these are paper or mixed-media records, often historical.
2. pieces of information saved on a computer or phone under a single name, such as
pieces of information saved on a computer or phone under a single name, such as a photo, song, or document
Megan emailed the wedding photo files to her cousin in Toronto last night.
Always back up your important files before installing a new operating system.
imperative + technical advice register
The video files were too big to send through the school's email system.
Nikhil dragged the music files from his laptop into a folder on the shared drive.
文法句型
save/open/delete a file
file format/size/name
用法筆記
Object types are limited to digital data (audio, video, image, text, program). For paper records use sense 1, not this sense.
3. boxes, folders, or similar holders that office workers use to keep papers organi
boxes, folders, or similar holders that office workers use to keep papers organised and easy to find
Sora arranged the bank statements in colour-coded files on the top shelf.
The new files from the stationery shop have plastic tabs along the side.
Gabriel keeps a row of brown card files beside his desk for the monthly invoices.
Please return the project files to the cabinet by the window when you finish.
- folders
more common in everyday speech for the simplest type
- binders
rigid; usually with metal rings
- portfolios
soft case; usually for one project or a small set
文法句型
a file of [documents]
filing cabinet
用法筆記
Refers to the physical holder itself, not the papers inside (those are sense 1). Often shows up with materials or colours: 'card files', 'brown files', 'colour-coded files'.
4. rows in which people or creatures stand or walk single-file, each one directly b
rows in which people or creatures stand or walk single-file, each one directly behind the next, usually in straight lines
Soldiers marched past the memorial in neat files of twenty, eyes facing forward.
pattern: in files of [number]
The children formed two quiet files at the museum entrance before going inside.
Long files of elephants moved slowly along the dry riverbed at sunset.
Hamza watched the monks walk in silent files toward the morning prayer hall.
文法句型
in single/double files
in files of [number]
用法筆記
Often appears in 'single file' / 'double file' as a set phrase, or with a counting phrase ('files of twenty'). Subject is usually a coordinated group (soldiers, children, animals).
5. small flat or round metal tools with rough surfaces that workers rub against woo
small flat or round metal tools with rough surfaces that workers rub against wood, metal, or fingernails to make them smoother
Iris keeps a set of small files in her toolkit for shaping the silver rings she makes.
The carpenter chose two flat files to smooth the rough edges of the oak panel.
collocation: flat / round / nail files
Justin reached into the manicure bag and pulled out a thin glass file for his thumbnail.
Old files with worn teeth no longer cut metal cleanly and should be replaced.
- rasps
coarser; bigger teeth, used on wood and softer materials
- emery boards
narrower; only for fingernails, made of cardboard
文法句型
a metal/nail/wood file
use a file on [object]
用法筆記
Often preceded by a shape or purpose word: 'flat files', 'round files', 'nail files', 'wood files'. Plural may refer to a set of different sizes used together.
files — verb
1. puts papers, emails, or other records in a chosen place and order so that other
puts papers, emails, or other records in a chosen place and order so that other people can find them later
The clerk files customer complaints under the year and month they arrive.
pattern: files something under [label]
Lauren files her receipts in a small brown folder beside the kitchen phone.
Most offices file old contracts in the basement after five years.
Nicholas files every important email in a separate folder so he can find it in seconds.
- stores
broader; any kind of keeping including warehouses
- archives
formal; usually for older or historical records
- catalogues
narrower; also adds a numbered listing system
文法句型
files something away/under [label]
files something in [container]
用法筆記
Object must be something keepable as a record (papers, emails, photos, forms). Frequently followed by 'under [label]' or 'in [container]' to name the place. Distinguish from sense 4 (legal submission): sense 1 is private organising.
常見錯誤
2. hands a formal document to a government office or other authority, often to clai
hands a formal document to a government office or other authority, often to claim something or to give required information
Rachel files her tax return online every April through the government's free service.
very common collocation: files a tax return
The company files a quarterly report with the financial regulator each March, June, September, and December.
pattern: files [report] with [authority]
Ari helped the family file an insurance claim after the kitchen fire last spring.
Most small businesses file their VAT forms through an accountant rather than alone.
- withdraws
takes back a submitted document
文法句型
files a [tax return / claim / report] with [authority]
用法筆記
Object is a named formal document type: 'tax return', 'report', 'claim', 'form'. The receiver is named with 'with' or 'to': 'files X with the tax office'. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 2 is administrative; sense 4 is courtroom-specific.
3. starts a court case by giving the official papers to the right court office, usu
starts a court case by giving the official papers to the right court office, usually against a particular person or company
The town council files a lawsuit against the factory for polluting the drinking water.
very common collocation: files a lawsuit against
Benjamin's lawyer files the divorce papers at the county court on Monday morning.
The union files a formal complaint about unsafe ladders with the regional labour board.
Christopher files for bankruptcy three weeks after the shop closed for good.
文法句型
files a lawsuit/charge/petition against [person]
files for [divorce/bankruptcy]
用法筆記
Object is a legal instrument (lawsuit, charge, petition, complaint) or 'for' + a legal status (divorce, bankruptcy, custody). The opposing party is named with 'against'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 specifically begins a courtroom proceeding.
4. as a reporter, transmits finished news writing back to the newsroom, typically f
as a reporter, transmits finished news writing back to the newsroom, typically from a distant location using phone calls, email, or satellite links
Noa files her election story from a hotel room in Buenos Aires by midnight every Sunday.
pattern: files [story] from [location]
The war correspondent files a short report each evening from the border town.
Élise files copy to the Paris desk through a satellite phone whenever the wifi fails.
Every local reporter files a final story an hour before the print deadline.
文法句型
files a story/report from [place]
用法筆記
Specific to journalism. Object is usually 'a story', 'a report', or 'copy'. The 'from [place]' phrase is common because the verb implies remote sending. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 4 is about transmission to a newsroom, not personal storage.
5. moves forward as part of a group with each person directly behind the next, ofte
moves forward as part of a group with each person directly behind the next, often slowly and quietly
The choir files onto the stage in matching blue robes for the Christmas concert.
pattern: files onto/into [place]
A long crowd of passengers files past the boarding gate at the small island airport.
The whole class files quietly into the chapel for the morning assembly.
The jury files back into the courtroom after three hours of discussion.
- scatters
moves apart instead of staying in line
文法句型
files in/out/past/into [place]
用法筆記
Subject is always a coordinated group, never one individual. Almost always followed by a direction phrase: 'in', 'out', 'past', 'into', 'onto'. Often paired with a manner word: 'quietly', 'slowly', 'silently'.
6. rubs a small toothed metal tool back and forth across wood, metal, or a fingerna
rubs a small toothed metal tool back and forth across wood, metal, or a fingernail to make the surface smoother or change its shape
Leo files the rough edge of the brass key until it slides into the lock cleanly.
pattern: files [object] until [result]
Lisa files her nails into soft ovals before painting them dark red.
very common collocation: files [her/his] nails
The blacksmith files down the welded seam on the iron gate before fitting the hinges.
Obi files the chair leg by half a centimetre so the table stands level.
- roughens
deliberately adds bumps or scratches
文法句型
files [object] down/smooth
files at [object]
用法筆記
Object is the surface or item being shaped (nails, edge, key, leg). Frequently followed by 'down' (remove material) or 'smooth' (result). The tool itself is often unnamed because the verb implies it.