What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
archiving
Example
We are archiving all the old financial records for safekeeping. [archiving: present participle]
Example
The museum has a dedicated team for archiving historical photographs. [archiving: gerund]
filing
Example
I need to start filing these invoices alphabetically for better organization. [filing: present participle]
Example
She spent the afternoon sorting and filing all the paperwork on her desk. [filing: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Filing is more commonly used than archiving in everyday language. Filing is a widely recognized term that is applicable to various contexts, such as office work, legal paperwork, or personal organization. On the other hand, archiving is more specific and commonly used in digital or technical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between archiving and filing?
Both archiving and filing can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, archiving may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with digital files and data, while filing is a more general term that can be used in a range of formality levels.
