guiding document

USAGE SUMMARY

"guiding document" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something like an instruction manual or set of guidelines providing advice or direction on a particular topic. For example, "The new employees were given a guiding document outlining all safety procedures that must be followed in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

This guiding document, however, sometimes can be hard to locate and stubbornly cryptic once found.

The New York Times

The first key goal of the 2005 Coney Island Strategic Plan, the CIDC's guiding document, was year-round activity.

The Guardian

Just three years later, in 1996, a Princeton professor would issue the guiding document for politicians looking to strengthen juvenile sentences – the theory of the juvenile "superpredator".

The Guardian

Not only because, as Democratic activist Paul Yandura points out, it's "another small step forward, since the platform is a non-binding, non-enforceable guiding document".

The Guardian - Opinion

We came up with a guiding document that crystalized our key challenges for the following year, and we were able to communicate that to the team at large.

The New York Times

In October 2011, as Mitt Romney prepared to win the Republican presidential nomination, his campaign prepared a guiding document outlining what to expect from Romney as commander-in-chief.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

There are air pockets there, but in fact we crossed that critical line for the sustaining of life which is envisioned in all the guiding documents.

The New York Times

The best guiding documents for understanding what Mr. Boehner seeks to accomplish are the House Republican policy document titled "A Pledge to America" and his recent speech to the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

The New York Times

I hope that the alliance also will launch a fundamental review of NATO's Strategic Concept — one of the alliance's most important guiding documents — to get agreement among allies on what NATO should be doing in the 21st century, including on cyber defense and energy security — areas where I believe NATO should do more to add its unique value.

The New York Times

Then there is the problem familiar to students of the American Constitution: How do you use such guiding documents to address issues that came to the forefront only later, in the church's case issues like homosexuality, ordination of women, in vitro fertilization and cloning?

The New York Times

Fourth, and finally, in countries where similar frameworks or guiding documents had existed, standards development and application processes were hastened.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific adjectives to replace the word “guiding” and provide more context; terms like 'operational', 'strategic' or 'legal' would clarify the document's area of focus.

Common error

Avoid using "guiding document" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "framework" or "policy" often lend more credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guiding document" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies a specific document providing direction or instruction, as shown in examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guiding document" is a commonly used phrase to describe a document that provides direction, instruction, or advice. As Ludwig AI states, it’s grammatically correct and widely accepted. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, it’s also used in Formal & Business contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "governing document" or "framework". Use "guiding document" to clearly indicate that the document's purpose is to provide guidance, and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more specific terminology might be appropriate. The phrase enjoys a decent source quality score of 83, and an expert rating of 4.5.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

governing document

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the document.

directive

Focuses on the document's role in providing specific instructions.

policy paper

Highlights that the document outlines a specific policy.

framework

Stresses the document's function as a structure for further action.

instruction manual

Implies a practical, step-by-step guide.

protocol

Suggests a set of rules or procedures to be followed.

handbook

Highlights a comprehensive reference source.

mission statement

Focuses on the document's expression of overall goals and values.

charter

Emphasizes the fundamental principles or laws outlined.

blueprint

Highlights a detailed plan or design for future actions.

FAQs

How can I use "guiding document" in a sentence?

You can use "guiding document" to describe a document that provides direction or instruction, such as "The company's strategic plan serves as a "guiding document" for all future projects".

What can I say instead of "guiding document"?

You can use alternatives like "governing document", "directive", or "policy paper" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "guiding document" and "governing document"?

"Guiding document" suggests a document that provides advice or direction, while "governing document" implies a more authoritative document that establishes rules or laws.

Is "guiding document" appropriate for academic writing?

While "guiding document" is generally acceptable, more specific and formal terms like "framework", "protocol", or "policy paper" might be more suitable for academic writing, depending on the document's specific function.