the above text

USAGE SUMMARY

"the above text" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to refer specifically to the text that appeared immediately before it, usually on the same page. For example, "The following list contains the names of four animals: cat, dog, mouse, and rabbit. The above text provides an overview of the types of animals commonly found in households."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The Collaborative on Health and the Environment is the source of the above text.

Princeton University

The above text provides clear evidence that eclipses were regarded as omens at this early period (as is true of other celestial phenomena).

Britannica

You can learn more about theropod groups by either selecting links from the above text, or by clicking on a box in the cladogram pictured above.

University of California, Berkeley

For a full translation of the above text, hit the jump.

TechCrunch

3. Copy and paste the above text onto a page on your blog, site, corporate website, social media profile, wherever.

TechCrunch

Some bits of the above text come from the website of the Sky Island Alliance, which I was a member of for several years.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The above texts (block quoted) are among Descartes' clearest statements concerning the brand of knowledge he seeks.

SEP

However, the above texts aside, there is a philosophical worry with attributing efficiency or productivity to perceptions on Leibniz's metaphysics.

SEP

A take, in this case, refers to the entirety of the above printed text, acted from beginning to end.

The New York Times - Magazine

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The Huffington Post has changed the pronoun referring to Chelsea Manning from "he" to "she" in the above Reuters text in accordance with Manning's stated preference).

Huffington Post

All four authors of the 2005 paper agreed to the above erratum text earlier this year.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the above text", ensure that the referenced text is easily visible on the same page or screen to maintain context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the above text" when referring to content that is several paragraphs away or on a different page; this can confuse readers. Instead, use a more specific reference like "in the introduction" or "as discussed in Section 2".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the above text" functions as a demonstrative reference, pointing to a specific portion of writing that has been presented earlier in the text. It serves to direct the reader's attention back to that particular section for clarification, emphasis, or further analysis. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the above text" is a demonstrative phrase commonly employed to refer back to preceding content within a document. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. While generally acceptable, writers should ensure that the referenced text is easily accessible to the reader. Alternatives such as ""the preceding text"" or ""the aforementioned text"" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the text above

Changes the structure slightly while retaining the same meaning.

the aforementioned text

Replaces 'above' with 'aforementioned', indicating a more formal tone.

the preceding text

Substitutes 'above' with 'preceding', emphasizing the sequential order.

the prior text

Uses 'prior' instead of 'above', suggesting a slightly more technical feel.

the foregoing text

Replaces 'above' with 'foregoing', suitable for formal contexts.

what was written above

Expresses the same idea in a more verbose way.

the text previously mentioned

Highlights the fact that the text has been referred to before.

the text in question

Shifts focus to a specific text currently under discussion.

as stated above

Focuses on the act of stating something previously.

the section above

More specific, referring to a defined section of text.

FAQs

How can I use "the above text" in a sentence?

You can use "the above text" to refer back to information already presented. For example: "The study showed a correlation between exercise and mental health. "The above text" highlights the importance of physical activity."

What can I say instead of "the above text"?

You can use alternatives like "the preceding text", "the aforementioned text", or "as stated above" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "the above text" in formal writing?

Yes, "the above text" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but alternatives like "the aforementioned text" or "the foregoing text" may sound more sophisticated in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "the above text" and "the following text"?

"The above text" refers to content that has already been presented, while "the following text" introduces content that is about to be presented. They indicate opposite directions in the flow of information.