document on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'document on the table' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence such as: "I left the signed document on the table for you to pick up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For the men stirred not, the legal, precise document, on the table moved not.

The New Yorker

"We have to make sure that the document on the table is accepted by all the political parties".

The New York Times

"And we're, like, 'Is this document on the table classified?' He said, 'Yes.' I thought about it for two seconds and said, 'Can we declassify it?' He said, 'No.' So I said, 'What if we pixelize it?' He said, 'I'd be O.K. with that.' So that's what we did".

The New Yorker

It would have been a more frank illustration of the newspaper's intent if it had left the two women standing there but scribbled out or blurred their faces (as the White House blurred a classified document on the table) or maybe slapped smiley-face stickers over them.

The New Yorker

In the lounge of his brothel, Andre van Dorst sits in the glow of a red lamp shaped like a huge voluptuous mouth and slaps document after document on the table -- from the health department, from the police, from the tax department, the labor department.

The New York Times

"We've got a document on the table that will spur discussion".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Still suspicious, Moschetti examined the ceiling above his client's table and found a video camera no bigger than a pillbox that could take close-up pictures of all documents on the table and transmit them over a concealed telephone line.

Forbes

As he began to show me the work, I noticed two other documents on the table: the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

Huffington Post

One afternoon, about a month after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the neighborhood, possibly for good, Jackie Nielsen, the former head of the committee, walked into Gennaro's Restaurant and Pizzeria in Oakwood Beach and dropped a pile of newspaper clippings and documents on the table.

Huffington Post

But many specifics that were included in earlier versions were excised in the document left on the table when Mr. Obama made his announcement, and many parties considered it at best a work in progress.

The New York Times - Science

It took her too long to push back on Rummy's absurd turf-war tricks, like reading or doodling while she was talking, or dropping a Defense Department document on the conference table as Rice was leading a discussion on a different topic so that he could steal the agenda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "document on the table", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the document is physically present or is a matter under discussion. If it is a matter under discussion, the idiom 'on the table' might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "document on the table" when you actually mean the document is simply being considered or discussed. In such cases, use the idiom "on the table" alone, such as 'The proposal is "on the table" for discussion'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "document on the table" functions primarily as a noun phrase specifying a particular document that is physically present or under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "document on the table" is grammatically correct and used to refer to a specific document, either physically present or under consideration. While relatively uncommon, it appears mostly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage through numerous examples. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity as to whether the document is physically on a table or simply being discussed, using the simpler idiom ""on the table"" if appropriate. Related phrases include "evidence on the table" and "text on the table", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts with nuanced differences. The phrase is deemed to be professional, especially in formal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documents on the table

Changes "document" to the plural "documents", indicating multiple documents being considered.

evidence on the table

Replaces "document" with "evidence", shifting the focus to the factual support being considered.

text on the table

Substitutes "document" with "text", emphasizing the written content under discussion.

page on the table

Replaces "document" with "page", highlighting a specific sheet of paper.

material on the table

Substitutes "document" with "material", broadening the scope to any type of relevant information.

booklet on the table

Replaces "document" with "booklet", specifying a small book.

reports on the table

Changes "document" to "reports", implying a more formal and structured collection of information.

printed on the table

Replaces "document" with "printed", focusing on the physical act of printing rather than the content itself.

noted on the table

Replaces document with "noted", shifting the meaning towards a record or mention, rather than a full document.

items under consideration

Completely rephrases the query to a more general term about items that are now being discussed.

FAQs

How can I use "document on the table" in a sentence?

You can use "document on the table" to refer to a physical document present, such as: "The signed contract is the "document on the table"." It can also metaphorically indicate a proposal, such as: "The peace treaty is the "document on the table" for negotiation."

What does it mean when a document is "on the table"?

When a document is ""on the table"", it means it's being considered, discussed, or negotiated. It implies that the document's contents are subject to scrutiny and potential action.

What's the difference between "document on the table" and "issue on the table"?

"Document on the table" refers specifically to a written document, while "issue on the table" refers to a topic or problem under discussion. The first indicates a physical or digital item, and the second is an abstract matter.

Is it correct to say "the contract is on the table"?

Yes, it is correct. "On the table" implies that the contract is now under consideration or open for discussion.