the document says

USAGE SUMMARY

"the document says" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a document contains a certain statement. For example: "The document says that the meeting will take place on Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Off-season only, the document says.

The New York Times - Sports

Cole attack," the document says.

The New York Times

Here's what the document says.

The Guardian

"Pakistan is prepared to help," the document says.

The New Yorker

Figure out what the document says, in jargon-free language.

Stanford University

since implementing what the document says would be extremely difficult.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The document says this is "to be reviewed".

The Guardian

This covers legislative initiatives and proposed rules, the document says.

The New York Times

They should be covered by adequate insurance, the document says.

The Guardian

"This movement should be somewhat like the equivalent of Russia's Nashi movement," the document says.

The New York Times

The document says there have been some convictions in high-profile organized crime prosecutions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the document says" when you want to directly attribute a statement or piece of information to a specific document. It's particularly useful in academic, journalistic, or legal contexts where precise sourcing is important.

Common error

Avoid using "the document says" excessively in a way that creates passive voice. Instead, vary your sentence structure to keep your writing engaging and direct. For example, consider rephrasing to highlight the information itself or the implications of what the document reveals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the document says" functions as an attribution marker. It's used to introduce information, quotes, or findings that are explicitly stated within a given document. Ludwig's examples show its widespread application in news articles, academic papers, and various reports, ensuring proper citation and accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the document says" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to attribute information directly to a source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed in news, academic, and professional contexts to lend credibility and allow for verification. While the phrase itself is active, mindful use is needed to prevent passive constructions. For alternatives, consider "the document indicates" or "according to the document" to vary your writing and enhance clarity. The high prevalence of this phrase in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the document indicates

Replaces "says" with "indicates", suggesting a less direct form of communication from the document.

the document states

Uses "states" instead of "says", implying a more formal and explicit declaration within the document.

according to the document

Shifts the focus to the document as the source, rather than the act of saying.

the document reveals

Implies that the document uncovers or discloses something previously unknown.

the document mentions

Suggests the document makes a passing reference to the information, rather than a central declaration.

as per the document

A more concise and formal way of saying "according to the document".

the report says

Replaces "document" with "report", specifying the type of source.

the study indicates

Substitutes "document" with "study", and "says" with "indicates", changing the source and nature of communication.

the analysis shows

Replaces both the source and verb, focusing on the analytical outcome presented in the document.

it is written in the document that

A more verbose and emphatic way of attributing information to the document.

FAQs

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

Use "the document says" to attribute specific information or statements to a document. For example, "The document says the meeting is on Friday".

What are some alternatives to "the document says"?

You can use alternatives such as "the document indicates", "the document states", or "according to the document" to vary your writing.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "the document says"?

While "the document says" is inherently active, overusing it can lead to passive constructions. To maintain clarity and engagement, consider rephrasing sentences to emphasize the information rather than just the source. For instance, instead of "the report says that sales declined", you could say "sales declined, according to the report".

When is it appropriate to use "the document says" versus simply stating the information?

Use "the document says" when you need to explicitly cite the source of your information, especially in academic, legal, or journalistic contexts where verification is crucial. If the source is already clear or implied, directly stating the information might be more concise.