the text suggests

USAGE SUMMARY

"the text suggests" is a perfectly acceptable and often-used phrase in written English.
It suggests that the author's opinion can be inferred from the content of a text. For example: The text suggests that the author believes the recent changes in the law are beneficial to society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

(The text suggests that it does).

The New Yorker

But the text suggests that this is a remote possibility.

The Economist

But nothing about the text suggests it was related to Trump at all.

The Washington Post

Even the manner in which the footnotes surround the text suggests, unmistakably, a desire to contain it on the page.

The Guardian - Books

The quarrel between Demetrius and Lysander (Benedict Nelson and Allan Clayton) is as bitter and violent as the text suggests.

The Guardian - Music

(Oddly, on the book's cover, it's called a novel; nothing in the text suggests that it's anything other than a memoir).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Jeffrey N. Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial, said the text suggested that the Fed would announce something on Nov. 3.

The New York Times

Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat chief secretary to the Treasury, said the text suggested the Tories were planning to make another unfunded spending commitment.

The Guardian

For Schumann the text suggested the inner exile of a soul in winter; for Eisler, who sets the words above a jabbing piano line, exile in Los Angeles in the 1940's was very real and aching.

The New York Times - Arts

Line 4 purportedly says, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife...'... " Other phrases in the text suggest that it is an account of a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, Dr. King maintains.

The New York Times

His statement is unclear about whether he hopes to stay at the university, but parts of the text suggest he does not.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the text suggests" when you want to convey that a particular idea or conclusion can be reasonably inferred from the content of a written work, without stating it explicitly. It's useful for academic writing, analysis, and interpretation.

Common error

Be careful not to present suggestions as definitive facts. Qualify your statements with phrases like "it appears that" or "it seems likely" to maintain objectivity and avoid misrepresenting the author's intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the text suggests" functions as a hedging device, allowing a writer to present an interpretation or inference drawn from a text without claiming it as an absolute fact. Ludwig AI suggests that it indicates a reasoned conclusion based on textual evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the text suggests" is a versatile tool for analysis and interpretation, commonly found in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it allows writers to present reasoned inferences drawn from a text without claiming absolute certainty. Its neutrality and formality make it suitable for objective analysis, but writers should avoid overstating inferences as definitive facts. Related phrases like "the passage implies" or "the document hints at" can offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase is especially prevalent in "News & Media" and "Science", showcasing its wide applicability across different domains. When using this phrase, remember to qualify your statements and avoid misrepresenting the original author's intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the passage implies

Focuses on implication rather than direct suggestion.

the writing indicates

Uses a more direct term for showing something.

the document hints at

Emphasizes a subtle or indirect suggestion.

the evidence points to

Highlights that evidence supports a conclusion.

the reading infers

Focuses on the reader's interpretation.

the analysis reveals

Highlights the revealing nature of the analysis.

the subtext conveys

Draws attention to the implicit meaning.

the material intimates

Suggests something in a delicate or indirect way.

it can be inferred from the text that

More formal way of expressing inference.

the text leads one to believe

Focuses on the belief formed as a result of reading the text.

FAQs

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

Use "the text suggests" to indicate an idea that is implied but not explicitly stated in a written work. For instance, "The text suggests that the character's motivations are more complex than they initially appear."

What phrases are similar to "the text suggests"?

Similar phrases include "the passage implies", "the writing indicates", or "the document hints at". These alternatives offer varied nuances for expressing inferences from a text, and can be found "here", "here" or "here".

Is it appropriate to use "the text suggests" in formal writing?

Yes, "the text suggests" is suitable for formal writing. It's commonly used in academic papers, analytical essays, and professional reports to convey interpretations and inferences in a measured and objective manner.

What's the difference between "the text suggests" and "the text states"?

"The text suggests" implies an inference or interpretation, while "the text states" indicates a direct and explicit statement. Use "the text suggests" when the point is not directly expressed but can be reasonably concluded, and "the text states" when the point is explicitly made.