cumbersome document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a document that is unwieldy, difficult to handle, or overly complicated. Example: "The new policy changes were outlined in a cumbersome document that made it hard for employees to understand the updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Moi Mar 13th 2003The code is a cumbersome document, roughly twice the size of today's version, says Rod Armitage of the CBI.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Lodsys patents are cumbersome documents.

BBC

Through a quirk of Europe's democracy, the expansion depends on the mood of 2.9 million Irish voters, who will decide in a referendum on Saturday whether to approve the Treaty of Nice, a cumbersome European Union document that sets the rules for redrawing Europe's east-west divide, marked by wars for most of the 20th century.

The New York Times

While such models have proven useful in providing implementable solutions with a verified impact, they are also more cumbersome to document in a clear and concise manner.

Surveys in Operations Research and Management Science

I find the keyboard shortcut for adding a comment to a Word document cumbersome.

The New York Times

Those considering buying a co-op or condominium apartment, on the other hand, face an additional challenge: navigating the voluminous, cumbersome, legalistic and boring document known as the offering plan.

The New York Times

Although Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone described the policy as "Orwellian," the practice looks more like corner cutting to avoid cumbersome federal regulations on document disposal — the very type of conduct that the S.E.C. often criticizes companies for when it pursues an enforcement action.

The New York Times

It was important to the research team to avoid making the guidelines read like a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts'; the large number of items would have made the document very cumbersome, and a narrative approach improved readability.

BMC Psychiatry

Previously, businessmen had stored their documents in cumbersome cases, or folded and labelled the pieces of paper and stuck them in the pigeonholes of the secretary desks so common in the Victorian era.

The New Yorker

But for voter rolls, paper documents are cumbersome and extremely bad for detecting fraud or errors.

Huffington Post

How many people actually read a site's Terms of Use -- that link at the bottom of a site which brings you to a 20-page document written in cumbersome legalese?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a document as "cumbersome", be specific about why it is cumbersome. Is it the length, complexity, or the process it requires?

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome document" as a generic complaint. Provide context. For example, instead of saying "The report is a cumbersome document", specify: "The report is a cumbersome document due to its excessive length and repetitive data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome document" functions as an adjective-noun construction where 'cumbersome' modifies 'document'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is often used to describe documents that are difficult to handle, understand, or process due to their complexity or size. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumbersome document" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe documents that are difficult to manage or understand due to their complexity or length. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across various fields such as news, science, and business. While generally neutral in register, its usage implies a negative assessment of the document's usability. For alternative expressions, consider "burdensome document" or "unwieldy document" depending on the context. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reasons for the document being cumbersome to enhance effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdensome document

Replaces "cumbersome" with "burdensome", emphasizing the difficulty and the weight it carries.

unwieldy document

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "unwieldy", highlighting the difficulty in handling or managing it.

awkward document

Changes "cumbersome" to "awkward", focusing on the clumsy or difficult nature of the document.

complicated document

Replaces "cumbersome" with "complicated", emphasizing the complexity rather than the physical burden.

complex document

Uses "complex" instead of "cumbersome", focusing on the intricate nature of the document.

voluminous document

Shifts the focus to the document's size and extent, implying it's cumbersome due to its volume.

difficult document

Replaces "cumbersome" with "difficult", highlighting the effort required to understand or use the document.

troublesome document

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "troublesome", indicating that the document causes problems or difficulties.

laborious document

Changes "cumbersome" to "laborious", focusing on the amount of effort required to deal with the document.

tedious document

Replaces "cumbersome" with "tedious", highlighting the document's ability to cause boredom or fatigue.

FAQs

How can I avoid creating a "cumbersome document"?

To avoid creating a "cumbersome document", focus on clarity and conciseness. Use simple language, organize information logically, and eliminate unnecessary details. Consider using visual aids to break up text and improve readability.

What are the alternatives to the phrase "cumbersome document"?

You can use alternatives like "burdensome document", "unwieldy document", or "complex document" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to describe legal documents as "cumbersome documents"?

Yes, it is appropriate, especially when referring to the length, complexity, or difficulty in navigating the document. Legal documents are often described as "cumbersome documents" because of their complex legal jargon and extensive clauses.

What makes a document "cumbersome"?

A document becomes "cumbersome" when it is difficult to use or understand due to its length, complexity, poor organization, or excessive detail. It can also be "cumbersome" if it involves a tedious or inefficient process.