documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'documents' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'documents' in any context when referring to a written or printed paper related to a formal agreement, record, or other legal or official matters. Example sentence: The court requested all relevant documents for their investigation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Documents obtained under Right to Information (RTI) laws reveal that Carmody blindsided his colleagues with a public statement that he would decide who sat in the court of disputed returns (CDR) during a cliffhanger election result in February.

The Guardian

The recipients of the subpoenas will not be named until the documents are served, presumably by Friday.

The Guardian

The library at Worcester Cathedral was founded in Saxon times and today holds a fine collection of medieval manuscripts, post-medieval books and archive documents.

The Guardian - Travel

They demanded a public inquiry amid claims two safety documents were not disclosed to the Essex coroner at the 2007 inquest into the deaths.

The Guardian - Business

The White House has distanced itself from Britain's handling of the leaked NSA documents when representatives said it would be difficult to imagine the US authorities following the example of Whitehall in demanding the destruction of media hard drives.

The Guardian

The documents handed over to HMRC allegedly show how Google's London sales staff would negotiate and sign contracts with British customers, and cash was paid into a UK bank account, but the deals were technically booked through its Dublin office to minimise its liabilities here.

The Guardian - Tech

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

That idea of understanding users extends to Evernote's desire to be able to dig into your previous documents and those of your co-workers and ferret out knowledge that will be useful for whatever you're working on, before you realise that you might need it.

The Guardian - Tech

It's not fair," she told the Guardian of the Luxleaks furore, in which thousands of documents were released detailing tax deals between some of the world's largest companies and the Grand Duchy.

The Guardian

Buried in thousands of pages of court documents, I found wiretap transcripts and FBI surveillance logs and testimonies in which the details of insidious global conspiracies had been laid bare.

The Guardian - Books

They filled in documents and left without the police filing charges, according to Reuters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to specific "documents", ensure clarity by specifying the type (e.g., legal "documents", financial "documents", technical "documents") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "documents" as a vague catch-all term. Always provide sufficient context to clarify what the "documents" contain or pertain to. Otherwise, the term may lack impact or precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "documents" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of a written or printed item that provides information or evidence, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "documents" is a very common plural noun used to refer to written or printed materials that provide information or evidence. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and its usage is widespread across various contexts, including news and media, formal business, and academia. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to provide sufficient context when using "documents" to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "records", "files", and "papers" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to specify the type of "documents" (e.g., legal, financial, technical) for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal documents

Specifies documents pertaining to legal matters and proceedings.

records

Broader term encompassing any kind of recorded information, not just written.

official papers

Emphasizes the formal and authoritative nature of the documents.

files

Refers specifically to organized collections of data, often electronic.

written records

Highlights the act of recording information in written form.

papers

Implies a formal or academic context, often referring to research or legal papers.

supporting documentation

Refers to documents used as evidence or proof.

archives

Suggests a collection of historical or important documents preserved for long-term reference.

instrument

A formal or legal document, such as a deed, will, bond, lease, or mortgage.

reports

Implies documents containing information, analysis, or findings.

FAQs

How can I use "documents" in a sentence?

You can use "documents" to refer to official or important papers. For example: "The lawyer reviewed all the legal "documents" before the trial."

What are some alternatives to the word "documents"?

Depending on the context, you can use "records", "files", or "papers" as alternatives to "documents".

What is the difference between "documents" and "records"?

"Documents" typically refer to formal or official written papers, while "records" can encompass any form of recorded information, including digital data, audio, and video.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "documents"?

The term "documents" is suitable in formal, legal, business, and academic contexts when referring to important written or printed materials that serve as evidence, records, or official information.