a collection of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collection of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group or set of documents that are gathered together for a specific purpose, such as research, reference, or record-keeping. Example: "The archive contains a collection of documents related to the history of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, because many researchers have already collected abundant PDF papers in their storage disks, such a collection of documents, in addition to those gradually added after the system installation, should be easily processed.

Plosone

It houses several conference rooms, a collection of documents related to the camp and a permanent exhibit.

The New York Times

For the October issue of the Believer, N.Y.U.'s Fales Library archivist Lisa Darms has curated a collection of documents from the library's riot-grrrl collection.

The New Yorker

That letter is part of a collection of documents and correspondence that Commentary has donated to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin.

The New York Times

The most important antecedent of the Monumenta Germaniae Historica was the Monarchia romani imperii, a collection of documents on German medieval history compiled by Melchior Goldast (d. 1635).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The papers released Monday are a small part of a collection of documents donated to the Hoover Institution at Stanford University after Chief Justice Rehnquist's death in 2005.

The New York Times

The book is a collection of documents and records that once belonged to Mehmed Talat, known as Talat Pasha, the primary architect of the Armenian deportations.

The New York Times

(The company's responding brief is here, and a collection of documents pertaining to the suit, assembled by the Genomics Law Report, can be found here).

The New Yorker

We have a collection of documents and objects that are invaluable both culturally and monetarily, for example The Munich Agreement (which allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland).

The Guardian

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet For the October issue of the Believer, N.Y.U.'s Fales Library archivist Lisa Darms has curated a collection of documents from the library's riot-grrrl collection.

The New Yorker

The White House described its plan in a collection of documents, outlining both executive orders that the president plans to issue and measures that must be adopted by Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context when choosing a synonym. "Compilation" suggests a curated set, while "archive" implies historical value.

Common error

Avoid using overly generic terms like "stuff" or "things" to refer to the documents. Be precise and refer to them as "documents", "records", or other appropriate terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collection of documents" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to denote a group or set of documents that are gathered together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collection of documents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a set or group of documents gathered for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, ranging from formal to neutral. It is particularly common in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Alternative phrases include "a set of documents" or "a compilation of documents". When using the phrase, be mindful of the specific context and choose synonyms accordingly. Ludwig's examples illustrate its wide-ranging applicability, and the high source quality indicates its reliability in academic, professional, and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a set of documents

Replaces "collection" with "set", a simpler and more direct synonym. It has a slightly less formal tone.

a compilation of documents

Replaces "collection" with "compilation", suggesting a more deliberate and curated gathering of documents.

an archive of documents

Suggests a more permanent and historical gathering of documents, typically in a structured repository.

a body of documents

Implies a substantial and often significant grouping of documents, suggesting a cohesive whole.

a repository of documents

Highlights the function of storage and accessibility of the documents, often in a digital format.

a file of documents

More informal and suggests a physical or digital grouping of related documents.

a dossier of documents

Often implies a collection of documents related to a specific person, event, or subject, often used for investigation or analysis.

a portfolio of documents

Suggests a carefully selected collection of documents, often showcasing work or achievements.

a library of documents

Implies a larger, more organized collection of documents, accessible for reference and research.

an assemblage of documents

Replaces collection with a more formal term, assemblage, to emphasize the gathering of documents.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a collection of documents"?

You can use alternatives like "a set of documents", "a compilation of documents", or "an archive of documents" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a documents collection"?

While understandable, "a documents collection" is less common and less grammatically standard than "a collection of documents". The latter is generally preferred.

How do I specify what kind of documents are in the collection?

You can add an adjective before "documents", such as "a collection of legal documents" or "a collection of historical documents".

What's the difference between "a collection of documents" and "a database of documents"?

While both involve multiple documents, "a collection of documents" simply refers to a group, whereas "a database of documents" implies a structured, searchable electronic system.