according to the diary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to the diary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referencing information or events that are recorded in a diary or journal. Example: "According to the diary, she had a meeting with the director on March 5th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Those qualities, according to the diary of her contemporary Murasaki Shikibu, also won her numerous enemies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They could see, according to the diary, that "people were walking along the bridge where they had disembarked from the boats that had brought them to dry land.

The New Yorker

At first, according to the diary, Sergeant Frederick used handcuffs and leg irons, which the prisoner was able to slip off.

The New York Times

Mr. Sheikh, an impetuous young man who, according to the diary, annoyed superiors by overstepping his mandate, was not successful in the operation.

The New York Times

He tried to write — mostly plays, mostly unfinished — but, according to the diary of his brother Elio, the person closest to him, he burned almost everything he produced.

The New Yorker

The final meal taken on board the Endeavour after leaving Botany Bay was skate and warrigal greens, according to the diary of ship's botanist Joseph Banks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He is, according to the diaries, in his early 70s and worth between £5m and £12m.

The Guardian - Books

According to the diaries' editor, John Evans, Berkeley was "besotted" with Britten, despite being kept at arm's length.

The Guardian - Music

Tracy, according to the Diaries' editor's note, was "crushed", excusing herself and scurrying to her car, where she sat and wept.

The Guardian - Books

According to the diaries, Leonard Marks, the head of the United States Information Agency, tells Johnson that Pearson "has to needle you occasionally to keep his impartiality," and then assures Pearson that "the president agreed".

The New Yorker

According to the diaries of Lance Price, an adviser to Tony Blair, the Labour Prime Minister was nervy about the introduction of civil partnerships, in particular about the reaction of some right-wing newspapers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according to the diary", ensure the diary is a reliable source of information. Otherwise, consider adding a qualifier like "allegedly" or "purportedly."

Common error

Avoid presenting information solely "according to the diary" without cross-referencing with other sources. Diaries often reflect personal biases or incomplete information, which can lead to inaccurate reporting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to the diary" functions as an attributive prepositional phrase. It is used to introduce information or statements that are sourced directly from a diary. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts, indicating its role in providing source attribution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to the diary" serves as a versatile phrase for sourcing information from a personal journal. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and frequent across various domains like news, science, and encyclopedias. While commonly employed, it's crucial to verify the diary's reliability and cross-reference its contents to ensure accuracy. Alternatives like "as the diary states" and "the diary indicates" offer nuanced variations for expressing source attribution. Always remember that diaries reflect personal perspectives and may not always present an objective truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the diary states

Replaces "according to" with "as states", directly attributing the information to the diary's content.

the diary indicates

Uses "indicates" to convey that the diary provides evidence or points towards certain information.

the diary reveals

Emphasizes that the diary uncovers or makes known something previously unknown.

the diary mentions

A more neutral alternative, simply stating that the diary includes the information.

in the diary, it is written

A more formal and explicit way of indicating that the information comes directly from the diary's text.

the diary's account states

Specifies that the information is based on the diary's narrative or record of events.

the diary documents

Highlights that the diary serves as a record or documentation of the information.

if the diary is to be believed

Adds a conditional element, implying that the information's validity depends on the diary's trustworthiness.

from the diary's perspective

Indicates the information is presented from the diary writer's viewpoint.

the diary suggests

Implies that the diary hints at or implies something without explicitly stating it.

FAQs

How can I use "according to the diary" in a sentence?

Use "according to the diary" to introduce information sourced directly from a diary or journal. For example, "According to the diary, the meeting was postponed."

What's a more formal way to say "according to the diary"?

Alternatives include "as the diary states", "the diary indicates", or "the diary documents". All of these options provide a more formal tone while attributing information to the diary.

Is it always safe to assume information "according to the diary" is accurate?

No, diaries reflect personal perspectives and may contain biases or inaccuracies. It's crucial to verify information from diaries with other reliable sources before drawing conclusions.

What can I say instead of "according to the diary" if I want to express doubt?

If you want to express doubt, you could say "if the diary is to be believed", suggesting that the information's validity depends on the diary's trustworthiness.