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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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do the documents

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do the documents" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to completing or processing documents, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "Please do the documents by the end of the day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So what do the documents show?

News & Media

The New York Times

What do the documents suggest that they have done?

News & Media

The New York Times

But do the documents actually aid this quest, or point to a more complex history?

News & Media

The Guardian

Leonore Gerstein Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 23, 2010 • To the Editor: Do the documents published by WikiLeaks tell us anything new?

News & Media

The New York Times

In a 1991 document entitled Summary of Group Marketing Strategies, the third strategy on the list is to "implement regular price increases, on an industry basis wherever possible, which at least cover inflation to secure adequate profitability... ......Nor do the documents refer merely to straightforward price collusion.

News & Media

The Economist

It would have been a very risky thing to do". The documents published in Tehran indicate that the CIA, desperate for inside information about the governing mechanisms and priorities of the Iranian revolution, attempted to build personal relationships with several members of the Iranian leadership.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Did the documents have to be prepared in secret?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Nor did the documents explain how Ms. Le was strangled.

News & Media

The New York Times

What did the documents show?

News & Media

Forbes

What does the document say?

At no point does the document mention a denial of these statements from Cole.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the ambiguous phrase "do the documents" with a more precise verb that accurately reflects the intended action, such as "process", "review", or "complete".

Common error

Don't use the phrase "do the documents" as it is imprecise. Using clearer verbs ensures your meaning is easily understood.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do the documents" functions as an imperative instruction, although it's considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase lacks clarity and specificity. While it attempts to convey the idea of completing or processing documents, it is vague.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do the documents" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its ambiguity. Ludwig AI emphasizes that it lacks clarity and specificity. While it appears in some sources, using more precise verbs like "process", "review", or "complete" is advisable. This ensures clearer communication and aligns with standard English usage. Its informal nature and limited frequency suggest avoiding it in formal or professional contexts.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "do the documents"?

You can use alternatives like "process the documents", "review the documents", or "complete the documents" depending on the specific task.

Why is "do the documents" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "do the documents" is vague and lacks a clear, specific verb. It doesn't clearly indicate the intended action with the documents, making it grammatically weak.

How to use "process the documents" in a sentence?

You can use "process the documents" in sentences like: "Please process the documents before the meeting" or "The team is responsible for processing all incoming documents".

What's the difference between "do the documents" and "review the documents"?

"Do the documents" is a vague instruction, while "review the documents" specifically means to examine them carefully. Using "review the documents" provides a clearer understanding of the required action.

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Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: