Last updated on December 2nd, 2025 at 04:35 pm
When writing essays, reports, or research papers, you often quote or refer to something from a text.
The phrase âin the text it statesâ is commonly used by students and professionals, but using it repeatedly can make your writing sound stiff or repetitive.
Learning other ways to say âin the text it statesâ helps you sound more fluent, confident, and polished â whether youâre writing academically or speaking in a discussion.
In this guide, youâll learn the meaning, usage, tone, and 20+ useful alternatives to âin the text it states,â with clear explanations and natural examples. Letâs dive in!
đ§ What Does âIn the Text It Statesâ Mean?

The phrase âin the text it statesâ means that something (a fact, idea, or opinion) is written or mentioned in a piece of text, such as a book, article, or passage.
Grammar note:
- âIn the textâ is a prepositional phrase showing location (where).
- âIt statesâ is a verb phrase meaning âit saysâ or âit mentions.â
So together, it means: The text says that… or According to the text…
đ When to Use âIn the Text It Statesâ
You can use this phrase in many contexts, but itâs most common in academic or formal writing.
Examples of when to use it:
- When analyzing literature:
In the text it states that the hero faced many challenges. - When citing sources:
In the text it states that global warming is accelerating.
Usage by context:
| Context | Suitable? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Academic essay | â Yes | In the text it states that education is vital. |
| Business writing | â ď¸ Sometimes | Better to use âAccording to the report.â |
| Everyday speech | â No | Too formal for casual conversation. |
đ Is It Professional or Polite to Say âIn the Text It Statesâ?
Yes â but it can sound too rigid or mechanical, especially in business or conversational English.
In professional settings, people prefer smoother expressions like âAccording to the reportâ or âThe passage suggests.â These sound more natural and polished.
In short:
- â Polite: Yes
- â ď¸ Professional: Only in academic writing
- â Conversational: No
âď¸ Pros and Cons of Using âIn the Text It Statesâ
â Pros
- Clear and direct.
- Works well for school essays or exams.
- Shows understanding of source material.
â Cons
- Sounds repetitive and robotic.
- Not flexible for different tones or contexts.
- Doesnât add variety or flow to your writing.
đŞ 24+ Other Ways to Say âIn the Text It Statesâ
Below are 24+ smart alternatives with meanings, examples, and best use cases to help you sound natural and versatile.
1. According to the text
Meaning: The text says or reports.
Explanation: The most direct and academic alternative.
Example: According to the text, climate change affects sea levels.
Best Use: Formal, academic writing.
Worst Use: Informal speech.
Tone: Formal.
2. The passage says
Meaning: The passage expresses or mentions something.
Explanation: Common in literature or comprehension tasks.
Example: The passage says that honesty builds trust.
Best Use: Academic, literary analysis.
Worst Use: Business reports.
Tone: Neutral.
3. The author states
Meaning: The writer declares or expresses.
Explanation: Highlights who wrote the text.
Example: The author states that teamwork leads to success.
Best Use: Essays, book reviews, research.
Worst Use: Informal chats.
Tone: Formal.
4. As mentioned in the text
Meaning: Something was said earlier in the writing.
Explanation: Useful when referring back to earlier points.
Example: As mentioned in the text, technology changes rapidly.
Best Use: Reports, essays.
Worst Use: Speech.
Tone: Formal/Neutral.
5. As the text suggests
Meaning: The text implies or indicates.
Explanation: Adds a thoughtful or interpretive tone.
Example: As the text suggests, hard work pays off.
Best Use: Academic, analytical writing.
Worst Use: Direct quotes.
Tone: Analytical.
6. The text points out
Meaning: The text highlights a fact or idea.
Explanation: Good for emphasizing key information.
Example: The text points out the importance of discipline.
Best Use: Reports, summaries.
Worst Use: Conversational use.
Tone: Neutral/Formal.
7. It is written in the text
Meaning: The text contains that information.
Explanation: Sounds slightly old-fashioned but accurate.
Example: It is written in the text that the king was brave.
Best Use: Literature or historical writing.
Worst Use: Business context.
Tone: Formal.
8. The document reveals
Meaning: The text discloses or shows something new.
Explanation: Ideal for research or investigative writing.
Example: The document reveals the companyâs growth plans.
Best Use: Reports, journalism.
Worst Use: Casual writing.
Tone: Professional.
9. The article explains
Meaning: The text clarifies or provides information.
Explanation: Perfect for nonfiction writing.
Example: The article explains how habits shape success.
Best Use: Academic/business writing.
Worst Use: Literature analysis.
Tone: Neutral.
10. As stated in the passage
Meaning: Something was clearly written or declared.
Explanation: Very close in meaning to âin the text it states.â
Example: As stated in the passage, equality is essential.
Best Use: Academic contexts.
Worst Use: Spoken English.
Tone: Formal.
11. From the text, we learn
Meaning: The text teaches or informs us.
Explanation: Engaging and reader-friendly.
Example: From the text, we learn about ancient traditions.
Best Use: Educational writing.
Worst Use: Business documents.
Tone: Friendly/Formal.
12. The text implies
Meaning: The text hints or suggests indirectly.
Explanation: Used for interpretation or inference.
Example: The text implies that the hero regrets his choice.
Best Use: Literary analysis.
Worst Use: Factual reports.
Tone: Analytical.
13. As indicated in the text
Meaning: The text gives evidence or shows something.
Explanation: Common in research papers.
Example: As indicated in the text, data accuracy matters.
Best Use: Academic and formal reports.
Worst Use: Conversations.
Tone: Professional.
14. The text highlights
Meaning: The text draws attention to an idea.
Explanation: Great for emphasizing importance.
Example: The text highlights the role of empathy in leadership.
Best Use: Reports, reviews.
Worst Use: Informal talk.
Tone: Formal.
15. The writer notes
Meaning: The author observes or comments.
Explanation: Adds a personal, analytical tone.
Example: The writer notes that culture shapes behavior.
Best Use: Essays, critiques.
Worst Use: Informal writing.
Tone: Professional.
16. The text mentions
Meaning: The text briefly refers to something.
Explanation: Short and neutral â good for general reference.
Example: The text mentions several causes of pollution.
Best Use: Academic, neutral writing.
Worst Use: Conversational speech.
Tone: Neutral.
17. As the article points out
Meaning: The article draws attention to something important.
Explanation: Smooth, formal phrase used in reports.
Example: As the article points out, time management boosts productivity.
Best Use: Business, formal writing.
Worst Use: Literature essays.
Tone: Professional.
18. The reading shows

Meaning: The text demonstrates or displays something.
Explanation: Simple and direct alternative.
Example: The reading shows that teamwork leads to success.
Best Use: Classroom or discussion use.
Worst Use: Research papers.
Tone: Friendly/Formal.
19. As discussed in the text
Meaning: Something previously talked about in the text.
Explanation: Great for summaries or conclusions.
Example: As discussed in the text, balance is key to success.
Best Use: Academic or reflective writing.
Worst Use: Everyday conversation.
Tone: Formal.
20. As described in the passage
Meaning: The text gives a detailed account.
Explanation: Ideal when referring to descriptive information.
Example: As described in the passage, the city was peaceful.
Best Use: Literature and analysis.
Worst Use: Emails.
Tone: Formal/Neutral.
21. The report asserts
Meaning: The report strongly states or claims.
Explanation: Adds strength and confidence to your sentence.
Example: The report asserts that AI will reshape industries.
Best Use: Business, academic writing.
Worst Use: Casual speech.
Tone: Formal/Strong.
22. The source indicates
Meaning: The text gives evidence or shows something indirectly.
Explanation: Ideal for referencing data or facts.
Example: The source indicates a rise in consumer confidence.
Best Use: Research papers.
Worst Use: Everyday language.
Tone: Professional.
23. As found in the text
Meaning: Something can be located or read in the text.
Explanation: Useful when referencing direct information.
Example: As found in the text, honesty is valued above all.
Best Use: Essays, reports.
Worst Use: Conversations.
Tone: Neutral/Formal.
24. The evidence shows
Meaning: The text provides proof or support.
Explanation: Perfect for persuasive or analytical writing.
Example: The evidence shows that practice improves skills.
Best Use: Academic, analytical writing.
Worst Use: Narrative writing.
Tone: Formal/Emphatic.
25. As referenced in the text
Meaning: The text refers to or supports an idea.
Explanation: Ideal when discussing citations.
Example: As referenced in the text, leadership involves empathy.
Best Use: Academic papers, research writing.
Worst Use: Speech.
Tone: Formal.
đ§Š Comparison Table: Top 7 Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Avoid In | Meaning Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| According to the text | Formal | Essays, research | Speech | Strong |
| The passage says | Neutral | Literature | Business writing | Moderate |
| The author states | Formal | Reviews, analysis | Informal talks | Strong |
| As mentioned in the text | Formal | Reports | Conversations | Medium |
| The text highlights | Formal | Essays | Casual emails | Strong |
| The writer notes | Professional | Academic writing | Chats | Moderate |
| The text implies | Analytical | Interpretive essays | Technical reports | Subtle |
â FAQs
1. Can I say âIn the text it is saidâ?
Not really. It sounds unnatural. Use âIn the text it statesâ or âAccording to the text.â
2. Whatâs the best phrase for essays?
Use âAccording to the textâ or âAs stated in the passage.â Both sound polished and academic.
3. Is âIn the text it statesâ grammatically correct?
Yes, itâs correct but slightly awkward. âThe text statesâ is smoother.
4. Whatâs a casual way to say it?
In conversation, you can say âThe book saysâ or âIt says here.â
5. Whatâs the most professional option?
âAccording to the reportâ or âThe author statesâ sound best in formal or corporate writing.
đ Conclusion
Using variety in your writing makes your ideas shine. Instead of repeating âin the text it states,â you can use many natural alternatives like âaccording to the text,â âas mentioned in the passage,â or âthe writer notes.â
Each option adds its own tone â some formal, others more conversational. Experiment with these phrases to make your English sound more fluent, confident, and professional.
The more variety you use, the more engaging your writing becomes.

David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.