a stack of paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large amount of documents or files that need to be processed or organized. Example: "After returning from vacation, I was greeted by a stack of paperwork waiting for my attention on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It took and still takes a stack of paperwork and legislation to guarantee -- and enforce -- their presence.

The New York Times

"Let's make it fast and painless," he tells them, pulling a stack of paperwork from a manila folder.

The Washington Post

A few days before kindergarten began, parents were summoned to the school to fill out a stack of paperwork roughly the size of a mortgage application.

The New Yorker

On the table lay a stack of paperwork for the project and a rendering of the new firehouse, a two-story red building with four garage doors.

The New York Times

I usually finish seeing patients at around 4pm and then have a stack of paperwork to work through including writing out prescriptions for the following week.

The Guardian

On a recent afternoon in court, Judge Jaya K. Madhavan, supervising judge of the Bronx Housing Court, reviewed a stack of paperwork and then looked at a tenant standing nervously in front of him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Rather than beginning to think, yes, this is the way of the world, all things pass and my presence here will be expunged in moments, a stack of demanding paperwork and enquiries can make you feel, yes, my absence was noted.

The Guardian - Books

In the report Reich appears in a photo with then-OTS director James Gilleran and three bank lobbyists using pruning shears and a chainsaw to symbolically cut through a stack of regulatory paperwork draped in red tape.

Huffington Post

To make the preliminary trials permanent, borrowers must complete a big stack of paperwork and show they can make their payments on time.

The New York Times

The service is currently targeted at new employee enrollment, which traditionally requires a hefty stack of paperwork carted back and forth between government offices.

TechCrunch

Nestled in the stack of paperwork a lawyer brought to her house and zipped through one afternoon was an agreement to pay $1,145 each month as part of a "pick a payment" loan, which allowed her a choice: pay the minimum, or a higher amount.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task involving substantial documentation, use "a stack of paperwork" to emphasize the administrative burden. For example, "Applying for the grant involved completing a huge stack of paperwork."

Common error

Avoid using "a stack of paperwork" when referring to digital documents. While the concept applies, the phrase implies physical papers. Opt for terms like "digital files" or "electronic records" for digital contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of paperwork" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to denote a substantial quantity of documents or forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Social Media

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a stack of paperwork" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a large quantity of documents or forms. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase typically conveys a sense of administrative burden or bureaucratic process. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or scientific writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. If you're seeking alternatives, consider "a pile of documents" or "an accumulation of records" to achieve similar meaning. Remember to specify context when dealing with the term, whether in digital form or physical paper.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of documents

Replaces "stack" with "pile" and "paperwork" with the more formal "documents".

a mountain of forms

Uses a more figurative term, "mountain", to emphasize the large quantity, and specifies "forms".

a collection of files

Replaces "stack" with "collection" and "paperwork" with the more general "files".

an accumulation of records

Uses more formal vocabulary such as "accumulation" and "records".

a backlog of documents

Indicates that the "stack" is waiting to be processed or dealt with.

an array of forms

Emphasizes the organized arrangement of forms rather than simply the quantity.

a batch of papers

Uses the word "batch" which implies similarity between the papers.

a mass of files

Uses "mass" to suggest a disorganized, overwhelming quantity.

a set of documents

Refers to a group of official documents usually related and required together.

paper overload

A more concise and informal way to express the excess of "paperwork".

FAQs

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

You can use "a stack of paperwork" to describe a large quantity of documents that need to be processed, organized, or completed. For example: "The new regulations created "a stack of paperwork" for the small business owner."

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

You can use alternatives like "a pile of documents", "a mountain of forms", or "an accumulation of records" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a stack of paperwork" in formal writing?

While "a stack of paperwork" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "extensive documentation" or "comprehensive records" may be more suitable in certain professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a stack of paperwork" and "a lot of paperwork"?

While both phrases indicate a significant amount of documents, "a stack of paperwork" often implies a physical pile of papers, whereas "a lot of paperwork" can refer to either physical or digital documents.