body of text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "body of text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large amount of written material, such as a book or an essay. For example, "The body of text in this book provides insightful analysis into the economic impact of the pandemic".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Write the body of text for the dissertation or thesis.

Cornell University

Another technique that elicits semantic relationships from a body of text is SGML.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pagination: Your manuscript is composed of preliminary pages and the main body of text and references.

University of California, Berkeley

Some put their faith in "machine learning", using algorithms to identify common themes across a large body of text.

The Guardian

We shall give you a large body of text (10Mb - 100Mb), perhaps the Stanford Web pages or a similar repository.

Stanford University

1. Phrase inserted from its original location in the right hand margin, perpendicular to the body of text.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Influenced by the Illuminationist school of Islamic philosophy, they left behind a body of texts which blur religious boundaries.

Harvard University

The body of texts variously held up as "scripture" include prophecies, biographies, letters, poems, songs, parables, laws, histories, dream diaries, genealogical lists, memoirs, and epics.

The New Yorker

The proceedings are said to be the largest body of texts detailing the lives of ordinary people before the 19th century.

The New York Times - Tech

Or as a mystery that is understood differently all over the world, an evolving body of texts that well may be transformed through ongoing archaeological finds?

The Washington Post

The Vedas, a body of texts believed to be around 3,000 years old, proclaim that "truth is one; the wise call it by many names".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "body of text" to refer to the main content of a document, distinguishing it from elements like headings, footnotes, or appendices.

Common error

Avoid using "body of text" when you actually mean the "source text", the original text from which information is extracted. "Body of text" refers to the main part of a document you're creating, not the source you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "body of text" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable. It is often used to denote the main content of a document, distinct from other parts like headings or footnotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "body of text" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the main content of a document. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in a variety of formal and neutral contexts, especially in academic, scientific, and news-related writing. When using this phrase, ensure you're differentiating the central text from other elements like headings or appendices. While "textual content" and "written material" can serve as alternatives, "body of text" precisely indicates the core written portion. Be mindful not to confuse it with the source text. With a high expert rating and widespread presence across authoritative sources, "body of text" remains a valuable term for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

textual content

Focuses on the content aspect of the text rather than the physical or structural.

written material

Emphasizes the fact that the text is in written form.

passage of writing

Highlights a specific excerpt or section of the text.

textual body

Reverses the order of the words, creating a slightly more formal tone.

main text

Specifies the primary portion of a document, excluding headings or appendices.

entire document

Refers to the whole written work instead of a part of it.

content of the document

Highlights the information contained within the writing.

the writing

A shortened version that refers to the textual matter.

literary work

Emphasizes the artistic or scholarly nature of the text.

script

Refers to text intended for performance or presentation.

FAQs

How to use "body of text" in a sentence?

You can use "body of text" to describe the main content of a document. For example, "The analysis focuses on the key themes within the "body of text"." Or, "The author develops their argument in the main "body of text"."

What can I say instead of "body of text"?

You can use alternatives like "textual content", "written material", or "main text" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "body of text" and "text"?

"Text" is a general term for any written material, while "body of text" refers specifically to the main part of a document, excluding things like headings, footnotes, and appendices. It emphasizes the core content, unlike a general reference to '"text"'.

Is it correct to say "bodies of text"?

Yes, "bodies of text" is the plural form and is correct when referring to multiple documents or collections of writings. For example, "The research involved analyzing several "bodies of text" to identify recurring themes."