the document below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the document below' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to a preceding document (either one in the same document or one in another document to which you have referred). For example, "Please review the document below which contains more information about our returns policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The document below, the first of two expected, is the Justice Department's legal memorandum explaining why the government believes it is lawful under a provision of the Patriot Act known as Section 215 for the National Security Agency to collect and store logs of every phone call dialed or received in the United States.

The New York Times

The precise language is set forth in the document below.

The New York Times

The editorial can be seen in its original format beginning halfway down the fourth column in the document below.

The New York Times

In the document below, an ominous "X" appears next to the category "Communist": An informant eavesdrops on Bernstein's conversations during a transatlantic voyage: In 1952, the Prominent Individuals section of the Security Index was discontinued, and Bernstein entered a state of limbo, with a political cloud still hanging over him.

The New Yorker

Read the document below.

Forbes

We've embedded the document below.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The documents below are a subset of the documents used to test the behaviour of the simpleUnit convention validator.

Journal of Cheminformatics

We then discuss several additional points in the attached document below, following this letter.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

The shutdown comes after a supposedly leaked document, below, described the company's issues in detail.

TechCrunch

The documents below present the evidence in detail.

The Washington Post

Please review the above guidelines to ensure proper use of the documents below.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the document below" when you are sure the document is immediately following the reference. This ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the document below" if the document is not directly beneath the reference. If it's located elsewhere, specify its location precisely (e.g., "in Appendix A" or "on page 15").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the document below" serves as a deictic expression, specifically an anaphoric reference. It points the reader to a document that is expected to be found directly after the mention of the phrase. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the document below" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to guide readers to a text or file immediately following its mention. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a straightforward anaphoric reference, most often found in news articles, academic papers, and professional documents. To ensure clarity, use the phrase only when the referred document is indeed located directly below the reference. When writing, consider variations like "the following document" or "the attached document" for subtle shifts in emphasis. Remember that accuracy, grammatical correctness, and source authority influence the overall quality of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the following document

Replaces 'below' with 'following', maintaining the direct reference to a document but with a slightly different spatial connotation.

please find the document below

Adds a polite request for the reader to locate the document.

the attached document

Specifies that the document is attached, implying it's physically or digitally connected to the current communication.

the document provided

Emphasizes that the document has been supplied for review or reference.

the referenced document

Highlights that the document is being referred to or cited within the current context.

see the included document

Directs the reader to consult a document that is included within the current material.

the file below

Uses 'file' instead of 'document', suitable for digital contexts where a file is being shared.

refer to the document herein

A more formal way of pointing to a document within the current text.

the subsequent document

Indicates that the document will follow later in the text or communication.

the text below

Broader term indicating the information is provided in textual format.

FAQs

How can I use "the document below" in a sentence?

You can use "the document below" to direct readers to a text immediately following your statement. For example, "For detailed instructions, see "the document below"."

What's a more formal alternative to "the document below"?

A more formal alternative includes phrases like "the aforementioned document" or "the document herein", typically used in legal or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "the documents below" instead of "the document below"?

Yes, "the documents below" is correct when referring to multiple documents. Ensure the plural form matches the number of documents you are referencing.

When should I avoid using "the document below"?

Avoid using "the document below" if the document is not directly beneath the reference. Instead, use phrases like "see Appendix A" or "refer to page 15" if the document is located elsewhere.