documents are distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "documents are distributed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of handing out or making documents available to a group of people. Example: "After the meeting, the documents are distributed to all attendees for their review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is no hiding from the numbers: data-laden documents are distributed before the meeting, and overhead map projections pinpoint the sites of individual incidents in pitiless detail.

The Economist

Informed consent documents are distributed to patients before surgical and aesthetic procedures so the patients will know what these procedures entail and what to expect from them.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Copies of the documents were distributed to 600 members of the Washington-Baltimore Newspater Guild, meeting at a local theater, for consideration.

The New York Times

The documents were distributed to members of the subcommittee in preparation for its hearing Wednesday, but were not discussed at the hearing.

The New York Times

In July, after year end close, the official SOX questionnaire along with several related documents is distributed to department directors and administrators.

Cornell University

These documents were distributed to each participant beforehand.

Journal of Big Data

Questionnaires and supporting documents were distributed by post to each of these, in a parcel that also contained information about the study and its objective, the informed-consent form to be signed, instructions on how to complete the questionnaire and a prepaid envelope addressed to ASL for returning the documents.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The meta-analyses and associated documents were distributed according to a strict protocol.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

During the 1994 plague outbreak, thousands of documents were distributed by traditional means; during the SARS response, which lasted approximately the same time, millions of documents were disseminated through the CDC Web site.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

These documents were distributed to parents/caregivers via the head teachers, who were also asked to collate the returned consent forms and completed questionnaires, for collection by the study team.

BMC Oral Health

The document was distributed to reporters and congressional offices this week by the conservative Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for limited immigration.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "documents are distributed", ensure the context clearly indicates who is distributing the documents and to whom they are being distributed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "documents are distributed" without specifying who is distributing them. Adding a subject, such as "The team distributed the documents", makes the sentence more direct and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "documents are distributed" functions as a passive construction, where the focus is on the action performed on the documents rather than the actor performing the action. Ludwig provides examples of this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "documents are distributed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, deemed usable by Ludwig. It serves to convey that documents have been made available, often with an implicit or explicit understanding of who is distributing them. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. To improve clarity, it is suggested to specify the actor performing the distribution. Alternative phrases include "documents get disseminated" or "papers are circulated", depending on the intended nuance. Overall, while the phrase is widely accepted, attention to context and clarity will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documents get disseminated

Replaces 'distributed' with 'disseminated', implying a wider, more general spread of information.

papers are circulated

Uses 'papers' instead of 'documents' and 'circulated' for 'distributed', suggesting a physical passing around of documents.

materials are handed out

Employs 'materials' as a broader term and 'handed out' to convey a more direct, personal distribution method.

reports are issued

Specifies 'reports' and uses 'issued', suggesting an official release of the documents.

files are shared

Replaces 'documents' with 'files' implying digital documents and 'shared' emphasizing accessibility among a group.

information is provided

Shifts the focus to 'information' rather than the physical documents, using 'provided' to indicate making the information available.

data is released

Highlights 'data' and uses 'released', suggesting a formal or public disclosure of information.

records are made available

Specifies 'records' and uses 'made available', focusing on the act of enabling access to the documents.

briefings are given

Implies the documents are being presented in a briefing session.

notices are published

Refers to formal announcements in writing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "documents are distributed" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "The team distributes the documents" or "We distribute the documents". These options provide clarity and emphasize the distributor rather than the action itself.

What's the difference between "documents are distributed" and "documents are disseminated"?

"Documents are distributed" implies a controlled handing out, while "documents are "documents are disseminated"" suggests a wider, less targeted spread of information.

Is "documents are distributed" formal or informal?

The phrase "documents are distributed" is generally neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and overall tone of the writing will contribute to the final impression.

What are some synonyms for "distributed" in the phrase "documents are distributed"?

Synonyms include "circulated", "issued", "provided", "shared", or "handed out". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.