as it says

USAGE SUMMARY

'as it says' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has just been said, or to quote something verbatim. For example, "The boss told us to get to work right away, as it says in the employee handbook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This video does as it says on the tin.

BBC

The sea gives up its dead, as it says in Revelation 20 13.

Vice

As it says on its Web site, it can choose to discontinue the program at any time.

The New York Times

Mr. Spangenberg's company, based in Dallas, helps "turn idle patents into cash cows," as it says on its Web site.

The New York Times

As it says in a video on its Web site, "Microtask loves the work you hate".

The New York Times

So the decision to block Facebook's contacts on its new phones may simply be, as it says, a technology issue.

The New York Times

As it says, all the evidence in favour of its suspect's candidacy was circumstantial.

The Guardian - Film

And that's +4, as it says up there.

Yale University

Discover Maastricht, as it says on the Ryanair website.

The Guardian - Opinion

As it says on the Sagrada Família - Sanctus.

The Guardian - Arts

Is football as serious about tackling racism as it says?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as it says", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "as it says" without a clear antecedent. Always make sure it's obvious what "it" refers to—whether it's a specific document, website, or statement—to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it says" functions as a transitional phrase, introducing a direct quote or reference to a previously mentioned source. It signals that the following information is directly derived from the cited material, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it says" is a frequently used phrase that effectively introduces direct quotes or references, according to Ludwig. While grammatically sound and versatile, its neutral to slightly informal tone makes it more fitting for general writing and less formal academic contexts. For clarity, ensure the source being referenced is unmistakable. If in doubt, use stronger options like "according to [source]". Overall, "as it says" functions well as a transitional phrase to support your arguments by citing relevant textual evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to what it states

Emphasizes a formal or official source and is slightly more verbose.

as the text indicates

Highlights that the information comes directly from written material.

in its own words

Draws attention to the original phrasing used by the source.

quoting the source

Explicitly identifies the phrase as a direct quotation.

to quote

A more concise way to introduce a direct quotation from the source.

as stated previously

Refers back to a statement already made, emphasizing repetition.

it mentions that

A simpler way to introduce a detail extracted from the source.

the source claims

Highlights the source's assertion, potentially with a hint of skepticism.

if we take it at face value

Indicates a tentative acceptance of what the source is saying.

to paraphrase the original statement

Signals a restatement of the original idea, rather than a direct quote.

FAQs

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "as it says"?

The phrase "as it says" means according to the exact words of a particular source or text. It's used to directly quote or refer to something stated elsewhere.

How can I use "as it says" correctly in a sentence?

Use "as it says" to introduce a direct quote or reference from a source. For example, "The manual states, "always wear safety goggles", as it says on page 3."

Are there more formal alternatives to using "as it says"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "according to the document", "as the source indicates", or "in its own words".

Is it appropriate to use "as it says" in academic writing?

While "as it says" is grammatically correct, academic writing often prefers more formal phrasing. Consider using alternatives that explicitly cite the source and maintain a professional tone, like "according to [Source]" or "as stated in [Source]".