document it should be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "document it should be" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be an incomplete or awkwardly structured sentence that lacks clarity and proper syntax. Example: "The report is due tomorrow, and document it should be submitted by then."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a disclaimer, I am a designer, and while my knowledge of programming has increased a fraction while creating a document, it should be known that Android makes it difficult for anyone who is not a programming to decipher their rules.

TechCrunch

… As a disclaimer, I am a designer, and while my knowledge of programming has increased a fraction while creating a document, it should be known that Android makes it difficult for anyone who is not a programming to decipher their rules.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although the effect of antibiotic spray treatment on chronic lesions has not been well documented, it should be a reasonable choice for topical treatment.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

In the development of such documents, it should be noted that the guidelines should not be too restrictive so as to hinder this innovative field.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Geraldine Abrahams is the director of TWM Productions You needn't stick to your initial business plan: If it really is a working document then it should be changed and altered as often as the business and routes to market dictate.

The Guardian

A new constitutional court is to be formed, an independent prosecutor appointed and a measure of devolution enacted.The National Constituent Assembly, an independent body that has scrutinised the drafting of the document, says it should be rejected.

The Economist

Insiders say the FSA's investigation, spearheaded by PricewaterhouseCoopers, isn't a single, concise document – but it should be possible to provide more than the mere 300 words that the regulator has made public on the subject.

The Guardian - Business

It is true that folksonomies record the way in which each user arrays available legal documents, but it should be emphasized the purpose for which this activity is carried out.

Cornell University

This is not documented properly: it should be, at least in the supplemental data.

eLife

For a written document, for instance, it should be on the order of a paper or chapter - not an entire book or dissertation - and should be in English.

Harvard University

"The proposal came to me by my staff, who said this is what was in this document, we think it should be put in the public domain, we believe it is in the public interest that it should be put out there that there's something different being said in public compared to what is being said in private".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the act of documenting, use the passive voice construction "it should be documented" for clarity and grammatical correctness. For example: "The process it should be documented" is incorrect. Instead, use "The process should be documented."

Common error

Avoid placing "document" at the beginning of the phrase when intending to express the need for documentation. It's better to use the passive form, i.e. "it should be documented", to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is primarily used as an incorrect way to express a requirement or suggestion for recording information. As noted by Ludwig AI, the standard construction should be "it should be documented". The examples show attempts to integrate this structure, often resulting in awkward phrasing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "document it should be" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard phrasing. A more appropriate and grammatically sound alternative is "it should be documented". This construction uses the passive voice to clearly convey the need for something to be recorded. While examples exist across various sources, including news and scientific articles, its incorrect usage makes it unsuitable for formal writing. When aiming for clarity and correctness, opt for the standard phrasing "it should be documented" or alternatives such as "it needs to be documented".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should be documented

This is a grammatically correct passive voice construction that emphasizes the act of documenting something.

it needs to be documented

This alternative emphasizes the necessity of documenting something.

documentation is required

This phrase directly states that documentation is necessary, removing the 'it should be' construction.

this should be documented

This version makes the subject of documentation explicit ('this'), improving clarity.

it ought to be documented

This alternative uses 'ought to' to express a sense of obligation or advisability.

ensure it's documented

This is a command or instruction to make sure something is documented.

it must be documented

This phrase conveys a stronger sense of necessity than 'should be'.

document it properly

This phrase focuses on the quality of the documentation.

the documentation must be completed

This emphasizes the completion of documentation.

document accordingly

This is a concise instruction to document something in an appropriate manner.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "document it should be"?

The correct phrasing is "it should be documented". This passive voice construction ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

What does "it should be documented" mean?

"It should be documented" means that a particular piece of information or process needs to be recorded or written down for future reference or as a requirement. See also: "ensure it's documented".

Are there alternatives to "it should be documented"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "it needs to be documented", or "documentation is required" depending on the context.

Why is "document it should be" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "document it should be" violates standard English word order. The correct passive construction requires the auxiliary verb "should be" to precede the past participle "documented".