“提出诉讼”常见的英文表达是 “file a lawsuit” 或 “initiate a lawsuit”。
file a lawsuit：是最常用、最直接的表达，“file”有“提交（文件、申请等）”的意思，这里指将诉讼相关文件提交给法院，开启诉讼程序。例如：They decided to file a lawsuit against the company for breach of contract.（他们决定针对该公司违约行为提起诉讼。 ）
initiate a lawsuit： “initiate”意为“发起、开始”，“initiate a lawsuit”侧重于强调开始诉讼这一行为动作。例如：The victim chose to initiate a lawsuit to seek justice.（受害者选择提起诉讼以寻求公正。 ）