documents in question

USAGE SUMMARY

"documents in question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when making a reference to documents that have been referred to or discussed previously in a conversation. For example, "We must review the documents in question before making a final decision on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Hanft said he had not seen the documents in question and could not comment on them directly.

The New York Times

The U.C.S. rejected his requests multiple times until, on July 13th, Smith issued a subpoena demanding the documents in question.

The New Yorker

The documents in question belonged to the firm's top executives and general counsel, Laurie Ferber, who were largely employed by MF Global's parent company.

The New York Times

The documents in question have purportedly been provided by unknown, but necessarily highly placed, persons to a Chinese writer known only by the pseudonym Zong Hairen.

The Economist

The documents in question -- several drafts "on the principles of the U.S.S.R.'s armed forces deployment" from 1940 and 1941 -- also appear in 1941 god.

The New York Times

The documents in question are often referred to as the Downing Street documents, because they include a revealing record of a meeting at No 10 in July 2002.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The document in question is referred to in the law as the "Renewable Electricity Transmission Study".

The New Yorker

"In my opinion, the document in question was produced much later" than 2006, he wrote.

The New Yorker

We have not seen the document in question and we were not party to it.

Independent

As troubling as this is, the fact is that Mr. Bacanovic was acquitted of altering the document in question.

The New York Times

Never mind Captain Cook – who wasn't even mentioned in the document in question – was not the first white person to come to Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "documents in question", ensure that the context clearly identifies which documents are being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "documents in question" without previously introducing or clearly defining which documents you are referring to. This can confuse the reader and make your writing less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "documents in question" functions as a noun phrase that modifies an implied verb (e.g., 'review', 'analyze'). It specifies which documents are under consideration, providing necessary context for the action being discussed, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "documents in question" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to specifically refer to documents that have been previously mentioned or are under scrutiny. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While it's crucial to ensure clarity by clearly identifying which documents are being referenced, its versatility and frequent usage in authoritative sources make it a reliable choice for precise communication. Related phrases, such as "relevant documents" or "papers in question", can offer stylistic variations without significantly altering the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

documents concerned

Highlights the documents that are related to or affected by a particular matter.

communications in question

Replaces 'documents' with 'communications', focusing on the content of the documents rather than their physical form.

papers in question

Uses 'papers' instead of 'documents', a more general and less formal term.

reports in question

Substitutes 'documents' with 'reports', implying a more structured and formal compilation of information.

documents at issue

Highlights that the documents are central to a dispute or legal proceeding.

agreements in question

Replaces 'documents' with 'agreements', specifying that the documents are legal or contractual in nature.

material in question

Replaces 'documents' with 'material', broadening the scope to include any relevant information.

relevant documents

Indicates that the documents are pertinent and applicable to a specific situation.

evidence in question

Focuses on the role of the documents as proof or support for a claim.

information in question

Emphasizes the data contained within the documents.

FAQs

How can I use "documents in question" in a sentence?

You can use "documents in question" to refer to specific documents that are being discussed or analyzed. For instance, "The committee will review the "documents in question" before making a decision".

What phrases can I use instead of "documents in question"?

Alternatives include "relevant documents", "documents concerned", or "papers in question", depending on the specific context and the type of documents being discussed.

Is it better to say "documents in question" or "the documents in question"?

Both are grammatically correct. The inclusion of "the" (i.e., "the "documents in question"") often implies that you are referring to a specific, previously mentioned set of documents, whereas omitting "the" can be slightly more general.

How does "documents in question" differ from "related documents"?

"Documents in question" typically refers to documents that are central to a particular issue or investigation, while "related documents" simply means documents that are connected to a topic but may not be the focus of attention.