a paper one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a paper one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an object or item that is made of paper, distinguishing it from other materials or types. Example: "For the presentation, I prefer to use a paper one instead of a digital format."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The same volume of BJC publishes a paper (one of a series) on the association of cancer patients' outcomes with the inflammation-based prognostic score (Crumley et al, 2006).

British Journal of Cancer

The tablecloth — a paper one, from Ernie's restaurant on the Upper West Side — was the handiwork of Mr. Frankel and Mr. Korie, who wrote the libretto for "Harvey Milk," among other operas, and who was starting to think about lyrics for the show.

The New York Times

Banking sources have indicated that the deal was likely to be a paper one.

The Guardian

Although each note costs around twice as much as a paper one to make, it lasts up to four times as long.

The Economist

Not only has this fight resulted in a series of losses for Aipac, this fight has revealed the Aipac tiger to be a paper one".

The Guardian

That e-receipts are important to retailers became clear to a friend who politely requested a paper one – rather than hand over his email address – last month.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

For example, in a 2013 paper, one participant focused on her supportive relationships when recalling a particular memory: "I was warm, surrounded by friends and positive regard that night.

Huffington Post

Get a mask that's designed for the job of filtering asbestos, not a simple paper one you might use in a shop.

WikiHow

"It's a threatening paper," one military consultant told me.

The New Yorker

In a preceding paper, one of the authors generalized the Lorentz-Mie theory allowing for the ABC of Eq. (23).

Nanoscale Research Letters

"There is no need to pity me, he writes on a scrap of paper one afternoon after someone parting looks at him a little sadly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting with digital versions, use "a paper one" to clearly indicate the physical, printed format. For example, "I prefer a paper one for editing because I can make notes directly on the page."

Common error

Avoid using "a paper one" when describing non-physical concepts. Instead of saying "His argument was a paper one", opt for stronger alternatives like "His argument was weak" or "His argument lacked substance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paper one" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a substitute for a noun already mentioned, typically in contrast to something non-paper (e.g., digital). This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a paper one" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to refer to a physical, paper-based version of something, especially when contrasting it with a digital alternative. As Ludwig highlights, it is suitable for use in various contexts, though metaphorical uses should be approached with caution. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. When writing, remember to use "a paper one" to clearly differentiate from non-paper alternatives, while avoiding its use in abstract contexts where a more direct descriptor would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a paper copy

Directly synonymous and interchangeable in many contexts.

a hard copy

Emphasizes the tangible aspect of a printed document versus a digital version.

a physical document

Stresses the material existence of the document.

a written version

Focuses on the act of writing something down rather than the physical material of paper.

a printout

Highlights the action of printing something on paper.

a flimsy version

Emphasizes the weakness or lack of substance in a metaphorical sense.

a weak proposal

Highlights the lack of strength or support in a proposal.

an unsubstantial plan

Shifts the meaning to a plan that lacks a solid foundation.

a fragile idea

Focuses on the vulnerability of an idea.

a nominal agreement

Emphasizes that it is an agreement made with minimal effort or effect

FAQs

How can I use "a paper one" in a sentence?

You can use "a paper one" to refer to a physical copy of something, especially when contrasting it with a digital version. For example, "I prefer to read "a paper book" over an e-book" or "I requested "a paper receipt" instead of an email receipt".

What are some alternatives to using "a paper one"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a printed copy", "a hard copy", or "a physical version".

Is it always necessary to specify "a paper one"?

No, if the context already implies that you're talking about something made of paper, you can often simply say "one". For example, instead of "I need a paper napkin, can you give me a paper one?", you can say "I need a paper napkin, can you give me one?".

When might "a paper one" be a metaphor?

Sometimes, "a paper one" is used metaphorically to describe something weak or insubstantial, such as "a paper tiger". In such cases, consider if a more direct descriptor, like "weak" or "unconvincing", would be clearer.