a stack of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection of papers or files that are piled together. Example: "I found a stack of documents on my desk that I need to review before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Eventually he gave her a stack of documents.

The New York Times

As we spoke, Knowles printed out a stack of documents to show me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Journalists and others began to pore over a stack of documents left behind.

The Washington Post

Those experts concluded, based on "a stack of documents provided by the CIA," that the tubes were meant for centrifuges.

The Washington Post

There is also a stack of documents, rising more than a foot, about an earlier arrest, in Tennessee.

The New Yorker

This year, it also involved an accountant and a stack of documents that was an inch thick.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The next morning, at a press conference at his headquarters, Brown followed up on this line of attack by holding up a stack of papers that he said documented the $212,000 Warren had received for her work on the lawsuit.

Huffington Post

He pointed to a stack of papers on his desk, closing documents for the Trump International Hotel & Tower.

The New Yorker

The agenda was supposed to be kept confidential, but internet sleuths noticed a photo from the gathering that showed Sessions holding a stack of papers with a partially visible document on top that listed all of the attendees and what they planned to discuss.

Vice

I have a stack of court documents from Arlington that portray the "sordid and shocking tale" of the Rangers stadium, as one lawsuit puts it.

The New York Times

Until now a stack of faded documents was all Mrs. Murillo had to prove that her son, a leftist student, ever existed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the documents, specify their nature (e.g., "a stack of legal documents", "a stack of financial documents") to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using overly general adjectives like "big" or "many" to describe the "stack of documents". Instead, quantify the stack (e.g., "a stack of documents three feet high") or specify the type of documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of documents" primarily functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a collection of papers or files arranged in a pile, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of documents" is a common noun phrase used to describe a collection of papers or files arranged in a pile. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Ludwig's examples indicate that it's frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific details about the documents to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a pile of documents" or "a collection of files". Overall, it's a straightforward and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of documents

Replaces "stack" with "pile", suggesting a less organized arrangement.

a collection of documents

Uses "collection" to emphasize the gathering of documents.

a set of documents

Emphasizes the documents belonging together as a unit.

a batch of documents

Suggests a group of documents processed or produced at the same time.

a file of documents

Implies documents organized within a file.

a mass of documents

Highlights the large quantity of documents.

a volume of documents

Suggests a substantial quantity, often bound or compiled.

a portfolio of documents

Refers to a carefully selected and organized collection.

an archive of documents

Implies a historical and preserved collection.

a repository of documents

Suggests a place or system where documents are stored.

FAQs

How can I use "a stack of documents" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of documents" to describe a collection of papers or files that are piled together, for example: "I found "a stack of documents" on my desk that I need to review."

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

You can use alternatives like "a pile of papers", "a collection of files", or "a bundle of records" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a stack of documents" or "a pile of documents"?

Both ""a stack of documents"" and "a pile of documents" are correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize neatness (stack) or disorganization (pile).

What's the difference between "a stack of documents" and "a file of documents"?

"A stack of documents" refers to a physical pile, while "a file of documents" implies documents organized and stored within a file folder or system.