what the document says

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what the document says" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the content or information contained within a specific document. Example: "Before making any decisions, we should carefully consider what the document says regarding the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Here's what the document says.

The Guardian

When presented with documents showing pessimistic projections, she would typically reply, "Yes, that is what the document says".

The New York Times

"But it doesn't matter what the document says – it's down to what the situation is in reality.

The Guardian

This is what the document says: The expert Fiscal Commission Working Group concluded that retaining Sterling as part of a formal Sterling Area with the UK would be the best option for an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Guardian

A licensed notary is an unbiased outside party who 1) verifies your identity, 2) makes sure you're not being forced to do anything against your will, and 3) confirms that you understand what the document says.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Pinochet reportedly told advisers: 'I'm not leaving, no matter what,' " the document said.

The New York Times

Here is what the document said about each of those options: Unlawful killing: You have to be sure that the act was unlawful – that is that it was not done in lawful self defence or defence of another or in order to prevent crime.

The Guardian

It is not clear what the documents said or why they were shredded.

The New York Times

"The Torture Report: What the Documents Say About America's Post-9/11 Torture Program," by Larry Siems, head of PEN American Center's Freedom to Write Program.

The New York Times - Books

His customers did get documents saying they were lending the money to the American Continental Corporation, Lincoln's parent company, even if the sales representative aimed at customers who would not understand what the documents said.

The New York Times

It is not known what the documents say about the four men, but the contents will likely be considered by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse under Justice Lowell Goddard.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When citing a document, be specific about which section or page the information is from. This adds credibility and helps readers verify the source.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on the phrase "what the document says" without providing context or specific details. Always summarize or quote the relevant information to clarify the document's message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what the document says" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or refers to specific information contained within a document. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, directing attention to the document's content. Ludwig indicates it's a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what the document says" serves as a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the content or information within a document. Primarily found in news and media contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's a neutral phrase that can be adapted for more formal use with synonyms like "states" or "specifies". When using the phrase, specificity is key; provide context, summarize relevant information, and reference specific sections or pages to enhance credibility and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the document states

Replaces "says" with "states", emphasizing a formal declaration within the document.

the document indicates

Substitutes "says" with "indicates", suggesting that the document implies something.

according to the document

Introduces the information as coming from the document, providing context.

the document reveals

Uses "reveals" instead of "says", highlighting that the document uncovers something.

the content of the document

Focuses on the "content" as the source of information, rather than the document "saying" something.

the document specifies

Replaces "says" with "specifies", pointing to precise details within the document.

as the document describes

Highlights the descriptive nature of the document's information.

the gist of the document

Focuses on summarizing the main idea, rather than quoting directly.

the document's assertion

Emphasizes the document's claim or declaration.

the document elucidates

Replaces "says" with "elucidates", suggesting that the document clarifies a complex topic.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "the document "states"", "according to the document", or "the document specifies".

What is the best way to cite a document when using the phrase "what the document says"?

Always provide specific context or a brief summary of "the content of the document" immediately after using the phrase. If possible, include the page number or section reference for clarity.

Are there situations where I should avoid using the phrase "what the document says"?

If you can directly quote or summarize the document's content, doing so is preferable to using the generic phrase "what the document says". This provides more direct information to the reader.

What's the difference between "what the document says" and "what the document implies"?

"What the document says" refers to the explicit statements within the document, while "what the document "implies"" refers to indirect suggestions or inferences that can be drawn from the document's content.