A file meaning in English
Learn how to use A file correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
a file: an archive, a document, a folder
This file contains all the information I need.
Examples
- "I'm pretty sure that I opened a file that I shouldn't have."
- "I have recently reviewed all of Luke's files, and I am now keen to meet face-to-face with all of my key customers."
- "I am looking at your file as we speak."
- "My PC contains files that are of a sex - sex - sensitive nature!"
- "If you, err, take a look at my shelves, you can see that all the files there are arranged alphabetically."
- "The bad news is: some faulty incense sticks led to a small fire in my office and destroyed all of the candidates' files."
- "Mr. Cheeter, I don't have any record of you being eaten by a bear in my files."
- "It is used to open files, folders and documents."
- "Luna : Okay, well, please let me sit down for a moment and find your file."
- "I've just wiped my files!"
- "You have full access to the internet but will be unable to download files on to your computer."
- "It was my understanding that there was supposed to be a fixed rate for the duration of the loans, but after looking at our files, I see that the rates have inflated over the past few years."
- "If you've sent a thousand resumés, then there are a thousand companies out there reviewing your file."
- "The official policy will be sent shortly as a PDF file, but I'd like to draw your attention to some specific details beforehand."
- "Although I wasn't allowed access to Miss Stake's personal files, I have compiled a short checklist of three of the most common issues in efficiency reviews."
- "Bob : The left button is used to select things: files, folders or documents, or to click on internet links, for example."
- "Brian : That shouldn't be a problem. I have the file right here, you should find everything you need about the product's ingredients."
- "I have included an audio file of the patient during one of his calmer periods."
- "I'm typing a press release, but all the details about the product are in a separate file."
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks below using the computing terms from this list:
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the which is located on the .
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the which is located on the .
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
Fill in the blanks below using the computing terms from this list:
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet file 1 with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the folder 2 called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the hard disk 3 under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the shortcut 4 which is located on the desktop 5.
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet file 1 with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the folder 2 called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the hard disk 3 under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the shortcut 4 which is located on the desktop 5.
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
1 file: This is correct. Polly is most likely referring to a spreadsheet "file".
2 folder: This is the best choice. We can assume that Icarus is referring to "a folder" where the spreadsheet files are kept. This particular folder is called "August Office Expenses".
3 hard disk: A "hard disk" is a large directory where most files, folders and applications are found. This is probably the place where the file Polly is looking for can be found.
4 shortcut: This is the best choice here. Icarus tells Polly that she can access the file she is looking for "directly" by using a "shortcut". A "shortcut" is a path which allows quick access, it is usually found on the "desktop" of a computer.
5 desktop: This is the best choice here. The "desktop" refers to the location on the computer where shortcuts and links to files and folders are found. It is the most logical place to find a "shortcut".
Exercise 2
Polly writes that her friend will "look through all the properties on his books."
Select the terms from the list below that are synonymous with "books" in this context.
Select the terms from the list below that are synonymous with "books" in this context.
Polly writes that her friend will "look through all the properties on his books."
Select the terms from the list below that are synonymous with "books" in this context.
Select the terms from the list below that are synonymous with "books" in this context.
A "brochure" is a small booklet containing promotional material or product information. These are not the sort of "books" referred to in the dialogue.
The word "novel" refers to a book that recounts a fictional story. These are not the sort of "books" referred to in the dialogue.
When Polly writes about "books" she is referring to "files". The properties on Flatman's "books" are the buildings and apartments which he manages or represents. As a real estate agent, Flatman tries to find, sell or rent homes for his clients. "Books" is used here in a similar sense as an accountant might use the term: to refer to files or records. The expression "on the books" means "on the record", or "on file".
When Polly writes about "books" she is referring to "records". The properties on Flatman's "books" are the buildings and apartments which he manages or represents. As a real estate agent, Flatman tries to find, sell or rent homes for his clients. "Books" is used here in a similar sense as an accountant might use the term: to refer to files or records. In this context "records" are synonymous with "books". The expression "on the books" means "on the record", or "on file".
A "pamphlet" is a piece of printed material which is not "bound" like a book, and much shorter. Pamphlets provide information on a variety of topics: politics, religion, products etcetera. This term is not synonymous with "books" as it is used in the text.
Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks below using the computing terms from this list:
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the which is located on the .
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the which is located on the .
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
Fill in the blanks below using the computing terms from this list:
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet file 1 with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the folder 2 called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the hard disk 3 under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the shortcut 4 which is located on the desktop 5.
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
hard disk | file | folder | shortcut | desktop
Each word is used only once!
Polly: Icarus, where is the spreadsheet file 1 with our office expenses from August?
Icarus: It's in the folder 2 called "August Office Expenses", which is located on the hard disk 3 under C:\Business\Expenses.
Polly: Well that seems logical, but I still can't find it...
Icarus: If you can't find it there, you can also access it directly by using the shortcut 4 which is located on the desktop 5.
Polly: Thanks Icarus, you're my hero.
Icarus: Er, thank you, um, Polly.
1 file: This is correct. Polly is most likely referring to a spreadsheet "file".
2 folder: This is the best choice. We can assume that Icarus is referring to "a folder" where the spreadsheet files are kept. This particular folder is called "August Office Expenses".
3 hard disk: A "hard disk" is a large directory where most files, folders and applications are found. This is probably the place where the file Polly is looking for can be found.
4 shortcut: This is the best choice here. Icarus tells Polly that she can access the file she is looking for "directly" by using a "shortcut". A "shortcut" is a path which allows quick access, it is usually found on the "desktop" of a computer.
5 desktop: This is the best choice here. The "desktop" refers to the location on the computer where shortcuts and links to files and folders are found. It is the most logical place to find a "shortcut".
Exercise 4
Let's look at some useful terms from this telephone conversation.
This phrasal verb describes starting a computer session by entering identifying data. "Please by entering your username and password." (2 words)
This term describes a small, easily-transportable peripheral device that allows you to save electronic data. "Keith keeps all his important files on a , which he keeps in his pocket." (2 words)
This noun describes a quicker or shorter way of doing something or going somewhere. It is also a common computer term. "I've created a so that I can open PhotoSlop by double-clicking an icon on my computer desktop."
This phrasal verb describes starting a computer session by entering identifying data. "Please by entering your username and password." (2 words)
This term describes a small, easily-transportable peripheral device that allows you to save electronic data. "Keith keeps all his important files on a , which he keeps in his pocket." (2 words)
This noun describes a quicker or shorter way of doing something or going somewhere. It is also a common computer term. "I've created a so that I can open PhotoSlop by double-clicking an icon on my computer desktop."
Let's look at some useful terms from this telephone conversation.
This phrasal verb describes starting a computer session by entering identifying data. "Please log on 1 by entering your username and password." (2 words)
This term describes a small, easily-transportable peripheral device that allows you to save electronic data. "Keith keeps all his important files on a USB key 2, which he keeps in his pocket." (2 words)
This noun describes a quicker or shorter way of doing something or going somewhere. It is also a common computer term. "I've created a shortcut 3 so that I can open PhotoSlop by double-clicking an icon on my computer desktop."
This phrasal verb describes starting a computer session by entering identifying data. "Please log on 1 by entering your username and password." (2 words)
This term describes a small, easily-transportable peripheral device that allows you to save electronic data. "Keith keeps all his important files on a USB key 2, which he keeps in his pocket." (2 words)
This noun describes a quicker or shorter way of doing something or going somewhere. It is also a common computer term. "I've created a shortcut 3 so that I can open PhotoSlop by double-clicking an icon on my computer desktop."
1 log on: This is the right answer. To "log on" means to enter identifying data (usually username and password) in order to access a multi-user system such as a computer network. Note "log in" is a synonym of "log on" and can be used in exactly the same way. For example: "You have to log in if you want to invite new friends on MyFace.com".
2 USB key: This is correct. A USB (universal serial bus) key is a type of small, lightweight, removable and rewritable storage device that has largely replaced older storage devices such as the floppy disk.
3 shortcut: This is the right choice. A "shortcut" means a shorter or quicker way. In the dialogue, Keith talks about his "keyboard shortcuts" which means allocating "key stroke" combinations to perform tasks that would take longer with a mouse. For example: Ctrl + G might open a window to www.geek.com! "Shortcut" is a common and useful word in more general English. For example: "The journey only took an hour because we found a shortcut".
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