documents have been obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "documents have been obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that certain documents have been acquired or received, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The investigation has concluded, and we can confirm that all necessary documents have been obtained for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The documents have been obtained by the BBC.

The Guardian

Most of the study and many of the appended documents have been obtained by The New York Times and will be described and presented in a series of articles beginning today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The documents had been obtained from a few months after Mr Shayler joined MI5 to six months before he left, said Mr Sweeney.

The Guardian

In London, the security minister Baroness Neville-Jones, former chair of the UK's joint intelligence committee, described the leak as "really serious stuff" and questioned how the documents had been obtained.

The Guardian

Second, national professional medical and academic associations were contacted to corroborate whether all relevant government documents had been obtained.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

When the Times published the story, the paper said the document had been obtained "through a person not connected to the proposal who was alarmed by its tone".

Huffington Post

The reference to the Prodigal Son Project is just one of many revelations contained in a batch of internal Alec documents that have been obtained by the Guardian.

The Guardian

It hopes the court action will set a legal precedent on the right of the ATO to rely on documents that have been obtained without a company's consent and which are subject to legal professional privilege.

The Guardian - Business

The biggest danger, the officials said, is "workforce overload" – a lack of available GPs, hospital consultants and other health professionals "meaning the full service cannot be delivered", they say in documents that have been obtained by the Guardian and Channel 4 News.

The Guardian

Mourão also said the order would "reduce the bureaucracy" in the FOIA process and allow it to run more smoothly by eliminating a number of documents that could have been obtained previously.

Los Angeles Times

It would be anomalous, indeed, if such a statement, contained within the very document asserted to have been obtained by use of impermissible coercive pressures, was itself enough to create an evidentiary conflict precluding this Court's effective review of the constitutional issue.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "documents have been obtained", clearly state the source or method of obtaining the documents to enhance transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "documents have been obtained" without specifying who obtained them or under what circumstances. Lack of context can raise suspicion or uncertainty about the legitimacy of the documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "documents have been obtained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the documents are the object of the action. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid phrase. It's frequently used to report the acquisition of records or information, shifting focus away from the actor and onto the documents themselves.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "documents have been obtained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate the acquisition of documents. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, science, and professional settings. When using this phrase, it is best practice to specify the source or method of acquisition to enhance transparency. Common errors include vague references where the obtainer or circumstances are unclear. Related phrases include "documents were acquired" or "documents were retrieved", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documents were acquired

Focuses on the act of acquiring the documents, without specifying the method.

documents were retrieved

Highlights the retrieval process, suggesting the documents were previously stored.

documents were secured

Emphasizes the act of securing the documents, implying a protective measure.

documents came into possession

Indicates how the documents were acquired by someone.

documents have been accessed

Highlights that the documents are now accessible for review or use.

documents have been procured

Focuses on a formal way of obtaining the documents.

documents were collected

Emphasizes the systematic gathering of documents.

documents are in hand

Highlights the documents were just obtained.

the paperwork is in our possession

Uses a more informal term ("paperwork") for documents, indicating possession.

the records were accessed

Uses a more general term ("records") for documents, highlighting access.

FAQs

How can I use "documents have been obtained" in a sentence?

You can use "documents have been obtained" to indicate the acquisition of specific documents, for instance, "All relevant documents have been obtained for the audit".

What are some alternatives to "documents have been obtained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "documents were acquired", "documents were retrieved", or "documents were secured", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "documents have been obtained" or "documents were obtained"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Documents have been obtained" implies a recent or ongoing action with present relevance, while "documents were obtained" refers to a completed action in the past. The choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when someone says "documents have been obtained"?

It generally means that certain papers, records, or files have been acquired or accessed, often for a specific purpose such as an investigation, audit, or legal proceeding. The exact implication can vary based on the context.