a set of papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a set of papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a group of documents or written materials that are related or belong together. Example: "The lawyer handed me a set of papers to review before signing the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

In 2005, Ó Brádaigh, a keen historian, donated a set of papers of the National University of Ireland.

The Guardian

Crown Prince Abdullah, cloaked in regal yellow, was seated at a large desk, peering at a set of papers resting on a small wooden platform.

The New York Times

THE HITLER DIARIES: In 1983, The Sunday Times and Newsweek published extensive extracts from a set of papers they claimed were Hitler's personal diaries.

The New Yorker

For example, why have all these meetings to talk about pedagogy when we could easily grade a set of papers so we don't have to take them home?

The Guardian

And concurrently, all the writers involved in the project are working on a set of papers that will be collated into a book.

The Guardian - Music

I've seen a chief examiner (top of the tree in exam terms) take a set of papers from an aberrant marker and come back minutes later with new grades.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

When Sandro was small, he had a set of paper dolls of the Arditi.

The New Yorker

Waldherr is an artist who creates tarot cards, among other objects, and her book is lavishly illustrated and accompanied by a set of paper dolls (a final sadistic flourish, perhaps?).

The New Yorker

One ad — with the tag line "Innovate and Accelerate" — has a man wearing a set of paper wings, vintage aviator goggles and a white scarf, jumping off a chair in a Gothic-style auditorium, as if in flight.

The New York Times

Ms. Smith said she wanted to avoid having the workshop end up as yet another academic exercise where the only outcome is often a set of paper proceedings or pledges.

The New York Times - Science

The cellmates also played chess, and Mr Hewetson made himself a set of paper cards to play solitaire, despite warnings from his fellow prisoners that this could lead to a spell in "the cooler" – a bleak, particularly icy room.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to academic work, consider using "a set of papers" to clearly indicate a collection of related research or scholarly articles.

Common error

Avoid using "a set of papers" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "some documents" or "a few articles" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a set of papers" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in referring to multiple documents or articles related by topic or purpose. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a set of papers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively denotes a collection of related documents, particularly in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives such as "a collection of documents" or "a group of articles" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, and you can choose depending on what the context is. Given its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, using "a set of papers" is appropriate for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collection of documents

Replaces "papers" with the more general term "documents", broadening the scope.

a group of articles

Substitutes "papers" with "articles", implying a more formal or published collection.

a compilation of studies

Replaces "papers" with "studies", suggesting an academic or research-oriented collection.

a body of research

Uses "body of research" to indicate a substantial collection of related works.

a portfolio of writings

Substitutes "papers" with "writings", implying a curated or representative collection.

a file of reports

Replaces "papers" with "reports", specifying a type of document.

a stack of essays

Substitutes "papers" with "essays", narrowing the scope to a specific type of academic writing.

a batch of submissions

Replaces "papers" with "submissions", indicating a collection of items presented for consideration.

an anthology of works

Uses "anthology of works" to suggest a collection of pieces selected for their quality or significance.

a compendium of analyses

Replaces "papers" with "analyses", implying a collection of analytical documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "a set of papers" to refer to a collection of related documents, as in "The professor reviewed "a set of papers" on climate change.".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a collection of documents", "a group of articles", or "a compilation of studies".

Is it appropriate to use "a set of papers" in formal writing?

Yes, "a set of papers" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts, to refer to a collection of related research or scholarly articles.

What is the difference between "a set of papers" and "some papers"?

"A set of papers" implies a deliberate collection with a common theme or purpose, while "some papers" is more general and doesn't necessarily suggest a related grouping.