this document explains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this document explains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing the content or purpose of a document, indicating that it will provide clarification or information on a specific topic. Example: "This document explains the new policies regarding remote work and how they will affect our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This document explains in more detail how your participation grade is determined.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This document explains the fundamental elements of copyright law and is intended to inform and train the University community on copyright law.

Stanford University

This document explains our policies on the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and protection of Library user information.

University of Chicago

This document explains the rationale for each item and gives examples.

British Medical Journal

This document explains the global dairy position on AMR and supports the harmonized implementation of the global strategies on AMR.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Informed consent, which is delivered to the patient: this document explains the purpose of study, the procedure, confidentiality, the cost, and the right to leave the study at any time without their final treatment being affected.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Part two of the document explains the phased way this would be introduced, she says.

The Guardian

This legal document explains how, with specific accommodations, the degree of success for each individual can be significantly increased.

The New York Times

This tutorial document explains how to build Ptolemy II models using Vergil, the Ptolemy II graphical environment.

University of California, Berkeley

Whitepaper: "The click that binds: Ways users 'agree' to online terms of service". This short document explains the differences between clickwrap and browsewrap agreements.

Cornell University

This NRC document explains the two in more detail.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this document explains" at the beginning of a section or document to immediately clarify its purpose for the reader. This sets clear expectations and enhances readability.

Common error

Avoid starting every section of a lengthy document with "this document explains". Instead, vary your introductions with phrases like "this section details", or "the following pages cover" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this document explains" serves as an introductory statement, clarifying the purpose of a written work. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct, usable, and clearly signals that the document will provide details or clarification on a particular subject. The examples illustrate its use across diverse fields like academia, science, and news.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this document explains" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed way to introduce the core purpose of a document across diverse fields. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its function is to clearly state that the document will provide explanations and details. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse by varying their introductory phrases. The usage patterns indicate a fairly even distribution across academia, news, and science, making it suitable for various communication styles. For alternative expressions, consider options like "this paper clarifies" or "this guide details" to maintain engagement. Overall, "this document explains" serves a valuable role in setting reader expectations and improving comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this paper clarifies

Replaces 'document' with 'paper' and 'explains' with 'clarifies', altering the vocabulary while maintaining the core meaning.

this guide details

Substitutes 'document' with 'guide' and 'explains' with 'details', providing a more specific descriptor for the type of document and its action.

this report outlines

Changes 'document' to 'report' and 'explains' to 'outlines', suggesting a formal presentation of information.

in this manual, you'll find

Restructures the sentence to focus on the user's experience within the manual rather than a direct statement of explanation.

the purpose of this file is to

Replaces the direct explanation with a statement of purpose, shifting the emphasis slightly.

this section elucidates

Replaces 'document' with 'section' and 'explains' with 'elucidates', introducing a more formal tone and emphasizing clarification.

here, we describe

Offers a more concise and direct approach, focusing on the act of describing rather than explicitly explaining via a document.

the following pages cover

Shifts the focus to the content covered in the document, rather than the act of explaining.

the aim of this article is to

Replaces 'document' with 'article' and restructures the sentence to emphasize the aim rather than explanation.

this is a breakdown of

Offers a less formal introduction, indicating a simplified or detailed analysis of a topic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this document explains" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "this paper clarifies", "this report outlines", or "this section elucidates". These options offer a more elevated tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "this document explains" in academic writing?

Yes, "this document explains" is appropriate for academic writing. However, for variety and sophistication, consider alternatives like "this study details", "this analysis presents", or "the following sections elaborate on".

What's a more concise way to say "this document explains"?

For a more concise alternative, consider simply stating the document's purpose directly, such as "this outlines the key features" or "this details the methodology".

Can I use "this document explains" in informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "this document explains" might sound slightly formal for casual conversation. In informal contexts, you could say "this is a breakdown of" or "this will show you".