a box of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

"a box of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase as a description of a physical object, as in this example sentence: "I bought a box of paper from the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A girl in Afghanistan was killed when a box of paper fell from the sky.

The New Yorker

"Think in terms of a box of paper that sits next to the photocopier," he explained.

The New Yorker

He put his gun in the outgoing-mail tray and dumped a box of paper clips onto the desk.

The New Yorker

And at its current price of 73 cents, it would take several shares of Office Depot stock to buy a box of paper clips.

The New York Times

For a nickel more, take home a box of paper clips used by the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee in its losing bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The New York Times

"Thirty years ago, the idea of giving someone an umbrella was akin to giving them a box of paper clips," Mr. Catt said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Among other things, she took a box of papers, including Tremski's unpublished manuscripts.

The New Yorker

It was among a box of papers and sketches she had put aside after his death.

Independent

It was there that Gelambong took me to retrieve a box of papers he had acquired.

The New York Times - Magazine

She had been given a box of papers to index – secret government documents that had recently been declassified.

The Guardian

The former Tyco International chairman, L. Dennis Kozlowski, pulls a crucial document out of a box of papers bound for investigators, according to the criminal indictment for evidence tampering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing office supplies, specify the type of paper (e.g., "a box of printer paper", "a box of stationery paper") for clarity.

Common error

Don't just say "a box of paper" if you need a specific type of paper. Instead, clarify the paper's purpose, weight, or finish to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a box of paper" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing everyday objects and quantities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a box of paper" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood noun phrase used to describe a quantity of paper. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for both formal and informal contexts, primarily found in news, wiki, and academic sources. While the phrase is clear, specifying the type of paper can enhance clarity. Alternatives like "a carton of paper" or "a supply of paper" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. It's a versatile phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a carton of paper

Replaces 'box' with 'carton', emphasizing the container type while keeping the content the same.

a package of paper

Substitutes 'box' with 'package', focusing on the bundled nature of the paper.

a supply of paper

Shifts the focus from the container to the quantity of paper available.

a stack of paper

Changes the container to a 'stack' denoting unbound papers

a ream of paper

Replaces the general term 'box' with a specific quantity of paper.

paper reams

Uses the plural of ream, this alternative highlights the number of paper reams.

paper sheets

Uses plural of sheets, this alternative highlights the number of paper sheets.

paper stack

Changes the container to a 'stack' denoting unbound papers.

a collection of paper

Focuses on the group of paper.

paper selection

Focuses on the variety of paper.

FAQs

How can I use "a box of paper" in a sentence?

You can use "a box of paper" to describe a supply of paper, such as "I need to buy "a box of paper" for the printer."

What's a more specific term than "a box of paper"?

Depending on the context, you could use more specific terms like "a ream of paper" if you're referring to a specific quantity, or specify the type of paper (e.g., printer paper, card stock).

What can I say instead of "a box of paper"?

Alternatives include "a carton of paper", "a supply of paper", or "paper sheets" depending on what aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "a box of paper" formal or informal?

"A box of paper" is generally considered a neutral and common phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts.