the text says

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the text says" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or statements that are found within a specific text or document. Example: "According to the article, the text says that climate change is a pressing global issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there's little emphasis on really what the text says.

The New York Times

She's on all the posters, the text says.

The New York Times

The text says: "Don't pay for two seats.

The New York Times

It is hard to avoid being safe, the text says.

The New York Times - Arts

The text says: "This building, completed in 1911, was funded by a bequest from Cecil Rhodes.

Independent

"Textualism," the authors tell us, "begins and ends with what the text says and fairly implies".

The New York Times

"To some, the mission statement may sound a little bold," the text says.

The New York Times

The real debate is whether the text says anything historically legitimate about Jesus and Judas.

The New York Times

He comes on at one point and the text says: "Howl, howl, howl, howl".

The Guardian

"Chinese troops were soundly defeated, suffering heavy casualties," the text says of Nanjing.

The New York Times

In fact, I'm pretty sure that not much of what the text says is right.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the text says", ensure you accurately represent the original source's meaning and provide sufficient context for clarity.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple sentences that all start with "the text says". Instead, summarize and paraphrase where appropriate to maintain a smoother flow in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the text says" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information extracted from a written source. It serves to attribute specific statements or details to the text being referenced, like in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the text says" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to cite information from written sources. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is most common in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure accurate representation and avoid over-reliance on direct quotes. Alternatives such as "the text states" or "according to the text" can add variety to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate textual evidence into your work with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the text states

Replaces "says" with "states", which is slightly more formal.

the text indicates

Uses "indicates" instead of "says", suggesting a more subtle conveyance of information.

according to the text

Prefaces the statement with "according to the text", emphasizing the source of the information.

the passage mentions

Substitutes "says" with "mentions", suitable when referring to a brief reference within the text.

the author writes

Attributes the statement to the author, shifting the focus from the text itself to its creator.

the document reveals

Replaces "says" with "reveals", implying that the information was previously unknown or concealed.

as the text explains

Adds "as the text explains", which indicates that the text provides clarification or reasoning.

the source claims

Uses "claims" instead of "says", which can imply a degree of skepticism or uncertainty.

in the text it reads

Emphasizes the direct wording of the text, using the phrase "it reads".

the text suggests that

Uses "suggests that" rather than "says", introducing an element of interpretation.

FAQs

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

You can use "the text says" to introduce a direct quote or paraphrase from a source. For example, "The text says, 'Climate change is a serious threat'". You can also use alternatives like "the text states" or "according to the text".

What's a more formal way to say "the text says"?

More formal alternatives include "the text states", "the text indicates", or "the document reveals". These options lend a more academic or professional tone to your writing.

What is the difference between "the text says" and "the author claims"?

"The text says" focuses on the content of the text itself, while "the author claims" attributes the statement to the author. Use "the author claims" when you want to emphasize the author's perspective, especially if there's a possibility of bias or dispute.

When should I use "the text says" versus paraphrasing the information?

Use "the text says" when you want to directly quote a source to preserve its original wording or emphasize a specific point. Paraphrase when you want to summarize the main idea in your own words, making sure to still cite the original source.