Filed or Filled – Which Spelling Is Correct?

Are “Filed” and “Filled” synonyms or completely different words?

We want to know which spelling is considered correct, and which form (if any) we should avoid using. Also, we want to know the meaning of those words and how to properly use them in our communications. Let’s find out!

Filed or Filled – Which Spelling Is Correct?

“Filed” and “Filled” are both correct words and their spellings are proper. However, they aren’t synonyms and have different meanings. “Filed” is the past tense of the verb “File” and means to organize or record things. “Filled” is the past tense of “Fill” that relates to making empty spaces full.

Take a look at the examples below:

• I filed the backpack with the bare essentials. (incorrect)
• I filled the backpack with the bare essentials.

• John filled for unemployment. (incorrect)
• John filed for unemployment.

Although “Filed” and “Filled” are both correct, they aren’t synonyms. They also aren’t interchangeable.

The first set of sentences is about making a backpack ready for some activity. The backpack needs to be “Filled” with important things, and its empty interior needs to be used. In this context, it’s not about “Filing” anything, so the word “Filed” shouldn’t be used.

The second set, on the other hand, is about a man filing for divorce with a court of law. The correct way to state it is to say that John “Filed” for a divorce. To use the word “Filled” is incorrect and inappropriate.

Keep those differences in mind, when choosing which of the words you’ll use in your sentences.

Filed

“Filed” is the past tense of the verb “File”, which means to store information in an organized, particular way. People “File” documents and records all the time and when you need to refer to that in the past tense. “Filed” is the form you use.

The Cambridge Dictionary expands on that definition a little, explaining the following about the word “File”: “to officially record something, especially in a law court”. Also, “Filed” can refer to how journalists send their stories to the medium they write for.

Take a look at some examples below:

1. I filed that information for our records and sent it to the storage room.
2. Sarah filed a formal complaint against her boss.
3. Have you filed a police report already?
4. I was busy filing documents away, so I didn’t participate in the meeting.
5. Marisa and Danny filed for divorce recently.

Filled

“Filled” is the past tense of the verb “Fill”, which means to use empty space. Literally, “Fill” and “Filled” refer to making storage spaces full, but this word can also be used figuratively. In those instances a person can be “Filled” with feelings, a job position may be “Filled” and so on.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “Fill” means “to make or become full”, or “to put a substance into an empty space”.

Let’s go over some helpful examples below:

1. I filled the bottle with water before we left.
2. We quickly filled up the trunk of the car and went away.
3. The box was filled with random trinkets.
4. Marc filled his drawer with snacks.
5. Have you filled out the forms to apply?

Which Is Used the Most?

“Filled” and “Filed” aren’t synonyms. Consequently, they’re difficult to compare. Still, we’re curious to see which of them is used more. If you were to guess, which one of those forms is used more often, “Filled” or “Filed”?

Let’s take a look at the graph from Google Ngram Viewer below.

Currently, “Filled” is used more often than “Filed, by a considerable difference. But that wasn’t always the case.

Until around 2005, “Filed” was the most common word, which appeared in people’s speeches more frequently. That’s when those two words swapped places and “Filled” became the most used.

Keep in mind that both words are correct: their spelling is correct and each has its meaning and purpose. You can use “Filed” and “Filled” as needed in your conversations.

Final Thoughts

“Filed” and “Filled” are spelled correctly, but they aren’t synonyms. “Filed” is the past tense of the verb “File”, which indicates properly organizing things or recording them officially. “Filled” is the past tense of “Fill” that indicates filling empty spaces.