a mass of papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mass of papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of papers, often implying disorganization or a significant amount of documentation. Example: "After the meeting, I was left with a mass of papers to sort through before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A mass of papers and purple tulip petals from a dishevelled bouquet littered the dining table.

The New Yorker

Sweeping a mass of papers off a chair so that I could sit down, he picked up one of his well-worn art books and opened it to a reproduction of Géricault's "The Raft of the Medusa".

The New Yorker

The British Library has acquired the archive of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's extended family, a mass of papers and bound volumes dating from the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th.

The Guardian - Books

In this 1985 portrait, the snow-reflected light from a casement window falls on a mass of papers, books and files, while in the foreground is a complicated model of the structure of insulin, consisting of dozens of interlinked beads and wires.

The Guardian - Arts

Doubtless many, if not all, of these documents may ultimately be required, but some necessity should be shown, either from an examination of the witnesses orally, or from the known transactions of these companies with the other companies implicated, or some evidence of their materiality produced, to justify an order for the production of such a mass of papers.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Inaction made him uneasy, and his ability to cope with a mass of different issues, and a mass of paper, often late into the night, was legendary.

The Guardian

"It's a mass of paper work," Healey said.

Los Angeles Times

A year ago this month, six Ministry of Defense police officers appeared at Mr. Geraghty's home on the Welsh border, searched it, seized a mass of his papers and arrested him.

The New York Times

The clerk responsible for laboriously stitching together a mass of legal papers in the affair mistakenly added one damning document from another case.The judge, the needle and the slip symbolise the Chilean judicial system.

The Economist

Buried among a mass of his papers in a Texas university, it contradicts assumptions often made about his "anti-war" stance:    Because we are going from    our wonted places    To be task-ridden by one shattering Aim,    And terror hides in all our laughing faces    That had no will to die, no thirst for fame,    Hear our last word.

The Guardian - Books

The film has moments of pure terror, perhaps the most effective that in which the drill operator, driven off the spaceship by the mysterious power within is caught up in a whirlwind that fills the excavation with a mass of flying papers".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mass of papers" to vividly describe a large, often disorganized, collection of documents when the visual of a disorganized pile of documents should be evoked.

Common error

Avoid using "a mass of papers" in highly formal or professional documents where a more precise or neutral term like "a large collection of documents" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mass of papers" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing a quantity of documents. Ludwig examples show this phrase describing both physical stacks and abstract collections of documents.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mass of papers" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a large quantity of documents, often implying disorganization. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where a neutral tone is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "a large quantity of documents" for more formal settings or "a mountain of paperwork" to emphasize being overwhelmed. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large quantity of documents

Emphasizes the quantity and formality of the items, replacing 'mass' with 'large quantity' and 'papers' with 'documents'.

a sea of documents

Another metaphor, similar to 'mountain', that suggests being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of papers.

a mountain of paperwork

Uses a metaphor to describe the overwhelming amount of papers, implying a significant and potentially daunting task.

tons of records

Informal term to describe a large quantity of documents, implying a heavy weight or burden.

a stack of documents

Implies a more organized, vertical arrangement of the papers, differing from the less structured 'mass'.

an abundance of files

Focuses on files rather than loose papers, suggesting a more structured collection of information.

a wealth of archives

Highlights the historical significance of the papers as valuable resources for study.

a collection of reports

Highlights that the papers are specifically reports, giving more context to the type of documents involved.

a pile of correspondence

Specifies that the papers are related to communication, whether letters, emails, or memos.

a profusion of leaflets

Specifically describes papers containing advertising or promotional information.

FAQs

How can I use "a mass of papers" in a sentence?

You can use "a mass of papers" to describe a large quantity of documents, often implying disorganization. For example, "The desk was covered with "a mass of papers" after the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "a mass of papers"?

You can use alternatives like "a large quantity of documents", "a mountain of paperwork", or "a stack of documents depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a mass of papers"?

While grammatically correct, "a mass of papers" may not be suitable for all contexts. In more formal or professional settings, consider using a more precise or neutral term like "a large collection of documents".

What does "a mass of papers" imply about the documents?

The phrase "a mass of papers" often implies a large, somewhat disorganized collection of documents. It can suggest a sense of being overwhelmed by the quantity of paperwork.