the document states that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the document states that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to introduce something that is written in a document or official source. For example: "The document states that all students must turn in their papers by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The document states that each school's "ethos and teaching, which schools should make parents aware of" should support English law.

The Guardian

In its introduction, the document states that "the purpose of this act is to restate the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland".

The Guardian

Focusing on SFr18.2m (£7.75m) deployed for "payments for the acquisition of rights", the document states that these payments "are inducements (bribes) to third parties having a direct or indirect relationship to agreements negotiated by the ISMM group".

The Guardian - Sport

The document states that Iraq agreed to rebroadcast anti-Saudi propaganda, and that a request from Mr. bin Laden to begin joint operations against foreign forces in Saudi Arabia went unanswered.

The New York Times

In an apparent reference to the police's chief of department, Joseph J. Esposito, the document states that police supervisors who are "resistant to enforcing the rules of the park should be reminded that Chief Esposito agreed to this set of rules".

The New York Times

For instance, the document states that "If development policies and programmes are designed based on self-identified and prioritised needs of vulnerable communities, underlying risks will by necessity be addressed through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach" (UNISDR 2011, p. 49).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The document stated that a number of factors were contributing to the spread of jihadist ideology, including the "cause célèbre"—as the authors called it of the Iraq war.

The Economist

The document stated that at present the country's "shadow banking risks are under control overall".

BBC

But the document stated that the status of 104 smelters was unknown, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

BBC

In the most dramatic change, the document stated that researchers should avoid using placebos if they can.

Science Magazine

Last year, OGE's then-Director instructed staff to at least add a prominent disclaimer to the document stating that "some statements in this opinion are no longer consistent with current OGE interpretation and practice".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the document states that", ensure the document is credible and properly cited to maintain authority and avoid accusations of misinformation.

Common error

Avoid using "the document states that" without providing specific details or context about the document itself. Always name the document or its type for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the document states that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information or claims sourced from a particular document. It explicitly attributes the following statement to the document in question. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the document states that" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce information sourced from a document. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and can be used whenever you want to introduce something that is written in a document or official source. Its frequency and wide range of applicability, particularly in news, science, and wiki contexts, makes it a versatile choice for writers. Ensure clear citations and document specifics to maintain credibility. Consider related phrases for nuanced applications or to prevent repetition. Despite its strong utility, avoid over-reliance on vague references and always specify the document in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the report indicates that

Replaces "document" with "report" and "states" with "indicates", implying a less formal and perhaps less definitive source.

the study finds that

Substitutes "document" with "study" and "states" with "finds", suggesting an academic or research context.

the article mentions that

Replaces "document" with "article" and "states" with "mentions", indicating a less formal reference.

the source reveals that

Substitutes "document" with "source" and "states" with "reveals", suggesting a disclosure of previously unknown information.

according to the document

Rephrases the sentence to start with "according to", shifting the emphasis to the source itself.

the records show that

Replaces "document" with "records" and "states" with "show", indicating evidence or verification.

the evidence suggests that

Shifts the focus to the "evidence" presented, implying a conclusion based on supporting facts.

it is written in the document that

Adds emphasis on the written nature of the information, though making the sentence more verbose.

the manual specifies that

Replaces document with "manual" and states with "specifies", useful when referring to technical guidelines.

the constitution dictates that

Changes "document" to "constitution" and "states" to "dictates", implying a legal or authoritative requirement.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "the document states that" more specific?

Instead of "the document states that", specify the type and name of the document. For example, "The company's annual report indicates..." or "The constitution dictates...". This enhances clarity and authority.

What are some alternatives to "the document states that" to avoid repetition?

You can use alternatives like "the report indicates that", "the study finds that", or "the article mentions that", depending on the context.

Is "the document states that" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "the document states that" might sound formal in casual writing. Consider using more informal alternatives like "according to the paper" or "the source says" in less formal contexts.

How do I properly cite a source when using "the document states that"?

After stating what the document says, provide a citation either in-text (e.g., author, year) or as a footnote. Ensure the citation provides enough information for readers to locate the original document.