need to be documented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to be documented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that certain information or processes require formal recording or writing down for reference or compliance. Example: "All changes to the project specifications need to be documented to ensure clarity and accountability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Please note that documentation is not only important but also all minor details need to be documented.

WikiHow

The technology is impressive, but if we're honest, the vagaries of the human heart really don't need to be documented by a computer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I'd argue that this shift doesn't just need to be documented – we also need to listen to the non-religious to understand their experiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

As to the rest of what was spilled overboard, Mr. Holmes's attention to detail raises the question of how exactingly such scientific endeavours really need to be documented.

The New York Times - Books

Never mind that Fox barely functions as a journalistic enterprise at all, offering entirely opinion-driven content whose voluminous falsehoods hardly need to be documented here.

The Guardian - Opinion

The disability you describe would be identified as "another health related disability," and would need to be documented by a certified professional.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I thought this was something important that needed to be documented," said Ms. Basu, who was born in India and divides her time now between London and Mumbai.

The New York Times

Mr. Shadid felt compelled to enter Syria with the help of smugglers for the same reasons that other journalists cited in interviews this week: a sense that the widespread killing and suffering there needs to be documented.

The New York Times

According to the interviews, this might be due to the improved communication and understanding over what needs to be documented.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

The proposal for a SVHC and the comparison with the criteria needs to be documented in an Annex XV dossier.

Environmental Sciences Europe

To facilitate the management of ATD, it needs to be documented so that it becomes explicit to stakeholders.

Software Quality Assurance

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to be documented" in technical writing, ensure that you specify the level of detail required and the intended audience for the documentation. This clarifies expectations and improves the usefulness of the documented information.

Common error

Avoid documenting trivial or self-explanatory steps in a process. Over-documentation can clutter the process and make it difficult to identify crucial information. Focus on documenting aspects that are complex, prone to error, or subject to change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be documented" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something requires formal recording or notation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts where traceability and accountability are important.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need to be documented" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the necessity of recording information formally. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in scientific, news media, and formal business contexts. Alternative expressions include "should be recorded" or "must be registered", offering varying degrees of obligation. When using this phrase, clarity is key. Avoid over-documenting trivial details and always specify the required level of detail. Ludwig AI confirms that "need to be documented" is usable in written English when indicating that certain information or processes require formal recording or writing down for reference or compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires recording

Changes the structure to emphasize the action of recording as a requirement.

should be recorded

Replaces "need" with "should", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

demands written record

Specifies that the documentation must be in written form.

must be registered

Substitutes "documented" with "registered", suggesting a more formal and official recording.

calls for documentation

Uses a more formal tone with "calls for" instead of "needs".

ought to be logged

Uses "ought to be" instead of "need to be", implying a moral obligation or duty.

is essential to record

Highlights the essential nature of recording the information.

has to be chronicled

Replaces "documented" with "chronicled", emphasizing a detailed and historical record.

is imperative to document

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of documentation.

necessitates formal record

Highlights the necessity of formal recording.

FAQs

How can I use "need to be documented" in a sentence?

Use "need to be documented" when indicating that certain information, processes, or decisions require formal recording. For example, "All changes to the system configuration "need to be documented" for auditing purposes".

What are some alternatives to "need to be documented"?

You can use phrases like "should be recorded", "must be registered", or "requires recording" as alternatives to "need to be documented", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "need to be documented" or "must be documented"?

Both "need to be documented" and "must be documented" are grammatically correct, but "must be documented" implies a stronger obligation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of necessity in your context.

What is the difference between "need to be documented" and "should be documented"?

"Need to be documented" suggests a requirement, whereas "should be documented" implies a recommendation. Use "need to be documented" when the documentation is essential and "should be documented" when it's advisable but not strictly mandatory.