the document says that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the document says that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an agreement, contract, or any other type of written information. For example, "The document says that I am the legal owner of the property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The document says that Romney is "a passive, limited partner [with] no management capacity" in many of these funds.

The Washington Post

The document says that European representatives will argue that: Developments in the euro area are not the only source of risks for the global economy.

The Guardian - Business

The document says that known associates of Mr. bin Laden named "the date for action as on or around 11 September".

The New York Times

Outlining the figures, the document says that out of 25,600 allegations about possible illegal immigrants or other immigration violations received from the public between 9 December and 29 March, just 900 resulted in an enforcement visit.

The Guardian

The document says that known associates of Mr. bin Laden named "the date for action as on or around 11 September". Others were warned to return to Afghanistan before their plot unfolded, the document says.

The New York Times

As examples of diversity, the document says that children on the Upper East Side come from a wide range of countries; that their parents include building superintendents, struggling artists and professionals; and that some families have been "traumatized by divorce, illness and unemployment".

The New York Times

The document says that "possible Russian efforts to set up a 'back channel' with Trump associates after the election suggest the absence of collusion during the campaign". That finding contradicts what Kislyak told Moscow, which is that the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner proposed the back channel with Russia during a meeting in early December 2016.

The Washington Post

The document says that the vocational specialism requirement will be reviewed after a year.

The Guardian

By 2000, the document says, that amount jumped to $500 million.

The New York Times

The document says that agencies should consider the consequences of any cyber-action.

The Guardian

On page 27 the document says that it prefers spatial strategy Option One, which lays the greatest stress on housing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "according to the document" or "as stated in the document" to avoid monotony.

Common error

Avoid using "the document says that" excessively. Instead, integrate the document's information more organically into your writing. For instance, instead of writing, "The document says that sales increased by 10%", try "Sales increased by 10%, as reported in the document".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the document says that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information or statements found within a specific document. It's a common way to attribute information to a source, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase provides context and indicates the origin of the information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the document says that" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to attribute information to a specific document. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. It functions as a reporting clause and is suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. To enhance writing, it is recommended to vary sentence structure and avoid over-reliance on this phrase, considering alternatives like "according to the document". The phrase's neutrality makes it a versatile choice for conveying information from sources in an objective manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

According to the document

Replaces the phrase with a direct attribution using "according to".

As stated in the document

Presents the information as a direct quote or explicit statement.

The report indicates that

Substitutes "document" with "report", implying a more formal source.

The text states that

Uses "text" instead of "document", suitable for less formal contexts.

The analysis reveals that

Replaces "says" with "reveals", suggesting a more in-depth examination.

In the document, it is mentioned that

Adds a slight emphasis on the location of the information within the document.

The findings suggest that

Implies that the document's conclusions are based on evidence.

The evidence suggests that

Focuses on the evidence presented within the document.

The paperwork notes that

Uses "paperwork" which makes it sound less formal.

The material implies that

Suggests that the information is indirectly conveyed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the document says that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "according to the document", "as stated in the document", or "the report indicates that".

What are some less formal alternatives to "the document says that"?

In less formal contexts, you might use phrases like "the text states that" or "the paperwork notes that".

Is it always necessary to cite the source when using "the document says that"?

Yes, it's crucial to cite the specific document to maintain credibility and avoid plagiarism. Providing context helps readers understand the origin and reliability of the information.

How can I avoid repetition when using "the document says that" multiple times in a single piece of writing?

To avoid repetition, vary your phrasing. Use synonyms like "the analysis reveals that" or integrate the document's findings directly into your sentences. You can also use pronouns to refer back to the document after the initial mention.