Clean up my files

A

angela.fan

Member
China Chinese/English
Hi,

There are many files. I need to classify them and maybe adjust the layout of some files. To describe this meaning, could I say "I will clean up my files" or "tidy up my files".

Hope I express my question clearly.

Thanks,

Angela
 
    • I would probably use the verb "organize," as in "I'm going to organize my files." I think you could say "I'm going to clean up my files," but I think that would have more to do with the physical appearance of them--if paper is sticking out, they're all scattered around your desk, etc.

    Hmm... I hope that's helpful. I'm new to this forum, so I hope someone else can give you a second opinion.
     
    angela.fan said:
    Hi,

    There are many files. I need to classify them and maybe adjust the layout of some files. To describe this meaning, could I say "I will clean up my files" or "tidy up my files".

    Hope I express my question clearly.

    Thanks,

    Angela
    Click to expand...
    Either of those is acceptable, Angela, as are the suggestions made by Mafe Dongo and shoobydoowap...

    I would use (and have used) 'clean up' to mean 'organise'...

    Vicky
     
    shoobydoowap said:
    I would probably use the verb "organize," as in "I'm going to organize my files." I think you could say "I'm going to clean up my files," but I think that would have more to do with the physical appearance of them--if paper is sticking out, they're all scattered around your desk, etc.

    Hmm... I hope that's helpful. I'm new to this forum, so I hope someone else can give you a second opinion.
    Click to expand...


    Do you mean "clean up" means more to do with the physical appearance. And "organize, arrange..." mainly focus on the content of the files?
    But I often see "organize a dinner, meeting... ". Does the verb "organize" mean the details about an action?
     
    The fun thing about these forums is that even though I'm a native speaker of English, I think about these questions so hard that I get confused :)

    I need to think about the "clean up" phrase, but as far as "organize... "

    In terms of files, organize would have to do with moving them around, putting them in order, and making sure that they are in the correct location. Another possible meaning would "organize a party," as you said. In this situation, "organize" means to put together, to create something, especially when it deals with many people coming together. As in, you're literally organizing these people into one event.

    So, I would definitely say, "I'm going to organize a party," or "I'll help organize our get-together." Something to that effect.

    I hope this helps!
     
    Now that I think about it... "organize my files" would be much more common. The only time I could see myself saying "clean up my files" would be if they were completely unorganized with papers sticking out, on top of each other in stacks all around my room.

    Anyone else have any opinions?
     
    I would happily use "clean up" or "tidy up" my files. The verbs are open to interpretation. They could mean to physically tidy up files - attaching loose papers etc, removing out-of-date items, or they could mean to file alphabetically, put in boxes etc etc. "Organise" and "arrange" are also fine, just a more concise and less conversational in tone.
     
    The words used to describe a physical desk or office are frequently used to describe a virtual/digital office and other data in a computer. Icons used to represent these things look like the physical objects in an office. For example, the background of the main screen is called a "desktop." Files to be deleted go in a "recycle bin" or "trash can." Even the word "file" is borrowed from the literal office.

    The verbs used in a literal office can also be used to describe computer activities. When I delete obsolete files on my hard drive or network drive, I usually say that I am "cleaning out" my files, just as I would say that I am cleaning out my literal files in my actual desk drawer.
     
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