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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
bona fide document
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "bona fide document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a document that is genuine or authentic, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "To proceed with the application, please submit a bona fide document verifying your identity."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
At one point, Mr. Bamberger is interrupted feeding documents into a shredder.
News & Media
A bona fide feeding frenzy takes place over sardines.
News & Media
So you feed your document into the scanner, as pictured.
News & Media
For example: the identification of Users, Feeds, Documents, Commercial Transactions..
During this period, interruptions to feeding were documented for all recruited patients.
Science
It just doesn't get quite as much press as it used to, but it's still there, and it's still a problem, and you still see people with real, bona fide, documented problems".
News & Media
If you want built-in document feeding and faxing, either one should serve you well.
News & Media
Every group gets its own Yammer conversation feed, calendar, document library and inbox.
News & Media
While feeding is not documented, foraging is likely occurring in association with the deep scattering layer.
Science
As he documents, SEC spokespeople repeatedly fed him misleading information.
News & Media
Will it be a searchable PDF document or sheets of paper fed into a scanner?
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "bona fide document", ensure the context warrants a formal tone, as it is a somewhat archaic phrase. For a more contemporary feel, consider using "genuine document" or "authentic document".
Common error
Avoid using "bona fide document" in casual contexts where simpler terms like "real document" or "valid document" would suffice. Overly formal language can sound unnatural or pretentious.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "bona fide document" functions as a noun phrase, where "bona fide" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "document". Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.
Frequent in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "bona fide document" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a document's authenticity. As Ludwig confirms, it's considered correct and usable. While it may sound somewhat formal, it's best employed when emphasizing the genuine nature of a document in legal, official, or otherwise serious contexts. If a less formal tone is desired, consider using "authentic document" or "genuine document" instead. The lack of usage examples indicates it's a less frequently encountered phrase in contemporary writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
authentic document
Replaces the Latin term "bona fide" with its direct English equivalent, maintaining the document's verified status.
genuine document
Similar to "authentic document", this uses a common synonym to convey the document's legitimacy.
valid document
Focuses on the document's legal or official acceptance, implying it meets necessary requirements.
official document
Indicates the document is sanctioned or issued by an authority, suggesting its authenticity.
verified document
Highlights that the document has been checked and confirmed as true or accurate.
legitimate document
Emphasizes the document's lawfulness and conformity to accepted rules or standards.
real document
Simple and direct replacement, emphasizing that the document is not fake or counterfeit.
certified document
Suggests the document has been formally attested as true or correct by an authorized party.
substantiated document
Focuses on the fact that the document is supported by evidence, proving its validity.
attested document
Indicates the document has been officially witnessed or certified, lending credibility.
FAQs
What does "bona fide document" mean?
A "bona fide document" is a document that is genuine, authentic, and presented in good faith. It's often used in legal or official contexts to emphasize the document's validity.
What can I say instead of "bona fide document"?
You can use alternatives like "authentic document", "genuine document", or "valid document" depending on the context.
Is "bona fide document" redundant?
While "bona fide" already implies authenticity, using "bona fide document" can add emphasis in situations where the validity of a document is particularly important or might be questioned.
How do I ensure a document is considered "bona fide"?
To ensure a document is considered "bona fide", it should be complete, accurate, properly signed and certified (if required), and free from any signs of tampering or alteration.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested