French Phrase
On doit tout documenter.
Meaning
The sentence states that there is an obligation to record or document every piece of information. It can be understood as ‘One must document everything’ or, in a more informal context, ‘We have to document everything.’
When to use
Use this phrase in professional or academic settings when stressing the importance of thorough record‑keeping, such as project meetings, compliance briefings, or research discussions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ondoittoutdocumenter
On (impersonal pronoun)
‘On’ is a neutral pronoun that can mean ‘one’, ‘people’, or the informal ‘we’ in spoken French.
Devoir (present tense)
‘Doit’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘devoir’, expressing obligation or necessity.
Tout (adverb)
Here ‘tout’ functions as an adverb meaning ‘everything’, not the adjective ‘tous/toutes’.
Documenter (infinitive)
The infinitive follows ‘devoir’ to indicate the action that must be performed.
🗨In Conversation
On doit tout documenter avant de soumettre le rapport.
We have to document everything before submitting the report.
Oui, ainsi on évite les malentendus et on respecte les normes.
Yes, that way we avoid misunderstandings and comply with the standards.
✕Common Mistakes
On doit tout documenté.
The infinitive ‘documenter’ is required after ‘devoir’; ‘documenté’ is a past participle and is incorrect here.
On doit tous documenter.
‘Tous’ is the plural adjective meaning ‘all (masc.)’; the adverb ‘tout’ (unchanged) is needed to mean ‘everything’.
Nous doit tout documenter.
When referring to a specific group, you might use ‘nous devons’; ‘doit’ is correct only with the impersonal ‘on’.
↔Alternatives
Il faut tout consigner.
Everything must be recorded.
Nous devons tout enregistrer.
We have to record everything.
Il est nécessaire de tout documenter.
It is necessary to document everything.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking workplaces, especially in regulated sectors like finance, health, and public administration, meticulous documentation is not just good practice—it’s often a legal requirement. Using ‘On doit…’ sounds neutral and professional, while ‘Nous devons…’ feels slightly more personal and is common in team meetings.