actual document

USAGE SUMMARY

"actual document" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an original or physical document such as a certificate or form. For example, "Please provide an actual document to prove your identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Snowden intended to leak one actual document.

The Guardian

Mr. Smith politely presses the Iraqi to produce an actual document.

The New York Times - Arts

No Apply button, no thumbnail preview; your actual document changes temporarily and automatically.

The New York Times

The question is whether it's the actual document, and how much is redacted.

The Washington Post

As Franklin imagined this story, he wanted to hold the actual document in his hands.

Harvard University

Only the negotiators themselves and a select group of corporate partners have access to the actual document.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"No one's seen any actual documents yet".

The New York Times

The undertaking protects from use in any prosecution the actual documents produced to the inquiry.

The Guardian

There's something about seeing the actual documents, realizing how prescient the founding fathers were.

The Guardian

He has declined to publish the actual documents he says were leaked.

The New York Times

In design and engineering, it is important to preserve more than the actual documents making up the product data.

Computers in Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a document, specify "actual document" to ensure you receive the original, not a copy or summary.

Common error

Avoid using "actual document" when you only need the key information from a document. If a summary suffices, request that instead of the full "actual document".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual document" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig's examples show it typically refers to a tangible or original record, emphasizing its authenticity over a summary or copy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actual document" is a frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, primarily used in News & Media, Academia, and Science. Its primary function is to specify the need for a tangible or original record, distinguishing it from copies or summaries. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, and suitable for a range of contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that you truly need the original document and not just the information it contains. Consider alternatives like "original document" or "official document" based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

original document

Focuses on the document's authenticity and lack of copies.

official document

Emphasizes the document's formal and authorized status.

real document

Highlights the document's genuineness and lack of fabrication.

physical document

Stresses the tangible and non-digital nature of the document.

authentic record

Underscores the document's proven and verifiable nature.

bona fide document

Highlights the good faith and legitimacy of the document.

tangible record

Refers to a record that can be touched, as opposed to a digital file.

genuine article

Implies that the document is the true and unaltered version.

source document

Refers to a primary document used as the basis for other records.

primary record

Highlights the document's role as the original source of information.

FAQs

How to use "actual document" in a sentence?

You can use "actual document" to emphasize that you need the original record, as opposed to a copy or summary. For example, "Please provide the "actual document" for verification purposes".

What can I say instead of "actual document"?

You can use alternatives like "original document", "official document", or "real document" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "actual document" or "original document"?

Both "actual document" and "original document" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Actual document" stresses the physical existence, while "original document" highlights authenticity.

What's the difference between "actual document" and "authentic document"?

"Actual document" refers to the real, existing paper or file. "Authentic document" implies that the document is genuine and not forged.