lines of text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lines of text" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to the individual rows of text in a paragraph or document. Example: The document had several typos in the first few lines of text, but the rest of it was error-free.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whole lines of text are extremely rare.

The New Yorker

"Federalism" gets twelve lines of text.

The New Yorker

23 lines of text in lettre batarde.

Cornell University

A Pave with several lines of text.

Stanford University

Four lines of text below image: Mons.

Yale University

The screen could show up to five lines of text.

The Guardian

Not all of the lines of text were recovered.

The Washington Post

18 lines of text in a gothic hand.

Cornell University

18 lines of text in a rounded gothic hand.

Cornell University

19 lines of text in a gothic hand.

Cornell University

They combine pithy lines of text with found images.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or documentation, be precise about the number of "lines of text" users should enter or expect to see. Clarity prevents errors and enhances the user experience.

Common error

While "lines of text" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in casual writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "text" or "writing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of text" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or as a subject/object within a sentence. It refers to individual rows comprising written content. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

39%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lines of text" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe rows of written content. As verified by Ludwig AI, its frequent appearance across various sources like news outlets, academic papers, and scientific articles underscores its versatility and broad acceptance. While generally neutral in register, alternatives like "textual passages" might suit more formal contexts. A key best practice is to use the phrase precisely, especially when providing instructions. Be mindful of overusing "lines of text" in casual settings, where simpler terms may be more appropriate. Remember that while both "lines of text" and "rows of text" are correct, the former is more prevalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rows of text

Replaces "lines" with "rows", emphasizing the horizontal arrangement of the text.

textual lines

Inverts the order and uses the adjective form of text.

passages of text

Substitutes "lines" with "passages", referring to segments of the text.

segments of text

Uses "segments" to denote portions of written content.

bands of text

Replaces "lines" with "bands", suggesting a continuous strip of text.

chunks of text

Uses "chunks" to refer to blocks of text.

sections of text

Replaces lines with sections, implying larger portions of text.

portions of text

Uses "portions" to indicate parts of the text.

groupings of text

Emphasizes the arrangement or organization of the text.

sections of writing

Replaces "text" with "writing", referring to the act or style of writing.

FAQs

How can I use "lines of text" in a sentence?

You can use "lines of text" to refer to rows of text in a document or on a screen. For example, "The error appeared on the first few lines of text".

What's a more formal alternative to "lines of text"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "textual passages" or "segments of text" for a more sophisticated tone. See also alternatives like "passages of text".

How do I format quotations longer than four "lines of text"?

Quotations exceeding four "lines of text" should be placed in a block quote, indented from the main text. This visually distinguishes the quoted material.

Is it better to use "lines of text" or "rows of text"?

Both "lines of text" and "rows of text" are acceptable, but "lines of text" is more common. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.