Unlocking the Phrasal Verb 'File Away': A Guide for English Learners
Hello English learners! Understanding English phrasal verbs is a significant step towards fluency, and today we're diving into the very useful phrasal verb file away. If you've ever wondered how to correctly use file away when discussing how to store documents, remember important details, or simply put away neatly various items, you're in the right place. Learning to use this common phrasal verb effectively will enhance your ability to communicate about office organization and information management. This post will guide you through its various meanings, grammatical structures, related synonyms, and provide an opportunity to test your understanding. Let's get started on your journey to learn English more effectively!
Table of Contents
- What Does File Away Mean?
- Structure with File Away
- Related Phrases and Synonyms
- Practice Time!
- Conclusion
What Does File Away Mean?
The phrasal verb file away primarily means to put something, typically documents or papers, in an organized storage system, like a filing cabinet, so it can be found easily later. It implies a sense of order and preservation for future reference. Beyond physical items, file away can also be used figuratively to mean storing information in one's memory.
Structure with File Away
Understanding the structure of file away is crucial for using it correctly. This phrasal verb is transitive, meaning it requires an object, and it is also separable. This means you can place the object between "file" and "away" or after "away". Let's explore its common meanings and structures.
Meaning 1: To Store Physical Documents or Objects in an Organized Manner
This is the most common and literal meaning of file away. It refers to the act of placing items, especially papers, letters, reports, or even small objects, into a designated, organized storage place like a folder, a binder, a drawer, or a filing cabinet. The goal is to keep things tidy and accessible for future use, a key aspect of office organization.
Structure 1 (Object between 'file' and 'away'): Subject + file + [object] + away
- Example 1: The secretary needs to file these contracts away before the end of the day.
- Explanation: Here, "these contracts" is the object, placed between "file" and "away". This emphasizes the action of putting the specific contracts into storage.
- Example 2: I always file my important receipts away in a special folder to keep track of my expenses.
- Explanation: "My important receipts" are the items being organized and stored.
Structure 2 (Object after 'away'): Subject + file + away + [object]
- Example 1: Can you please file away all these old magazines?
- Explanation: "All these old magazines" is the object, placed after "away". This structure is also very common.
- Example 2: After the presentation, he carefully filed away his notes for future reference.
- Explanation: "His notes" are being put into an organized place. Using this structure can sometimes feel more natural when the object is a longer phrase.
When the object is a pronoun (it, them, this, that, etc.), it must go between "file" and "away".
- Correct: She found the report and filed it away.
- Incorrect: She found the report and filed away it.
Meaning 2: To Store Information Mentally for Future Recall
File away can also be used figuratively to describe the act of mentally noting and storing a piece of information, an idea, or an observation in one's memory so that it can be remembered and used later. This highlights how we organize papers of thought in our minds.
Structure 1 (Object between 'file' and 'away'): Subject + file + [object: information/detail/memory] + away
- Example 1: She filed that interesting fact away in her mind, thinking it might be useful later.
- Explanation: "That interesting fact" is the piece of information being mentally stored for future recall.
- Example 2: He listened carefully, filing every detail of the conversation away for his report.
- Explanation: "Every detail of the conversation" is being committed to memory.
Structure 2 (Object after 'away'): Subject + file + away + [object: information/detail/memory]
- Example 1: I'll try to file away that name; I might meet him again.
- Explanation: "That name" is the information being mentally stored.
- Example 2: It's a good idea to file away useful tips you learn about English phrasal verbs.
- Explanation: "Useful tips" are pieces of knowledge you're consciously trying to remember.
Just like with physical objects, if the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between "file" and "away".
- Correct: He heard the advice and filed it away.
- Incorrect: He heard the advice and filed away it.
Meaning 3: To Put Something Away Carefully or Securely (More General)
Sometimes, file away can be used more broadly to mean putting something in a safe, designated, or hidden place, not necessarily for systematic retrieval like documents, but more for safekeeping or to get it out of the way. It implies a careful or deliberate action to put away neatly.
Structure 1 (Object between 'file' and 'away'): Subject + file + [object] + away
- Example 1: She filed her grandmother's old letters away in a beautiful wooden box.
- Explanation: "Her grandmother's old letters" are being put away carefully in a special place for sentimental reasons.
- Example 2: Before going on vacation, they filed their valuable jewelry away in a safe deposit box.
- Explanation: "Their valuable jewelry" is being stored securely.
Structure 2 (Object after 'away'): Subject + file + away + [object]
- Example 1: He decided to file away his collection of old coins until he had more space to display them.
- Explanation: "His collection of old coins" is being put aside for safekeeping.
- Example 2: We should file away these winter clothes now that spring has arrived.
- Explanation: "These winter clothes" are being stored until the next season.
This phrasal verb, file away, is a practical one to add to your English vocabulary, especially if you deal with organizing things, whether physically or mentally!
Related Phrases and Synonyms
Understanding synonyms can greatly expand your vocabulary and help you express nuances more precisely. While file away is quite specific, here are some related words and phrases that convey similar ideas, especially concerning the meaning of storing or organizing.
| Synonym | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Store | To keep or accumulate something for future use; to put something in a particular place for preservation. | She decided to store her old university textbooks in the attic. |
| Organize | To arrange systematically; to put in order. | He spent the weekend organizing his digital photo collection. |
| Archive | To place or store in an archive (a collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people). | The museum will archive these historical manuscripts for researchers. |
| Stow | To pack or store away neatly and compactly, often in a place where it will not be in the way. | Please stow your carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment. |
| Catalogue | To make a systematic list of items of the same type and describe them. | The librarian will catalogue all the new books this week. |
These synonyms can be useful alternatives depending on the specific context and what you want to emphasize about the action of putting something away or arranging it.
Practice Time!
Now it's time to check your understanding of file away! Choose the best option for each question.
Question 1: Which sentence uses "file away" correctly to mean storing documents?
a) She filed the important papers away in the cabinet.
b) She filed away the cabinet the important papers.
c) She filed the important papers in away the cabinet.
d) She away filed the important papers in the cabinet.
Correct answer: a
Question 2: "I need to ________ this information ________ for the meeting tomorrow." Which pair correctly completes the sentence for mental storage?
a) file / away it
b) file / it away
c) away file / it
d) file it / away it
Correct answer: b
Question 3: What is the best synonym for "file away" in the sentence: "The detective tried to file away the crucial detail in his memory."?
a) Discard
b) Forget
c) Remember
d) Publish
Correct answer: c
Question 4: The manager asked his assistant to ________ all the client complaints from last month.
a) file away
b) file it away
c) file away them
d) away file
Correct answer: a
How did you do? Practicing with examples and exercises is a fantastic way to master English phrasal verbs like file away.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs like file away is an essential part of your journey to learn English fluently. Understanding its different meanings—whether it's for organizing physical documents, storing information mentally, or carefully putting items aside—and knowing how to use its separable structure will significantly improve your communication skills. We encourage you to continue practicing its usage in different contexts. The more you use file away, the more natural it will become in your everyday English conversations and writing. Keep up the great work!