a working paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a working paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a preliminary document or report that presents research findings or ideas that are still in progress and subject to further revision. Example: "The researchers submitted a working paper to the conference, outlining their initial findings on climate change impacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A working paper version is available here).

The Economist

If he has any evidence to support his positions – a study, a working paper, a book?

The New York Times

A working paper by Matthew Leerberg for the Duke University Foundation Research Program.

The Economist

A working paper on tax will be published by the end of February.

The Guardian - Business

The study recently began circulating in academic circles as a working paper.

The New York Times

A working paper, published by the group after the meeting, warned that airspace shutdowns were likely.

The Guardian

Last year, IMF economist Patrick Imam published a working paper studying age and economies.

The Guardian - Money

Some New Facts," which has been circulating as a working paper in academic circles.

The New York Times

(The study, currently a working paper, has not yet been peer-reviewed).

The New Yorker

The study is circulating in academic circles as a working paper.

The New York Times

A working paper is no more than a paper written by someone with some affiliation to the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When citing "a working paper", clearly indicate its preliminary status to manage expectations about its findings. Provide a direct link if available.

Common error

Avoid presenting the conclusions of "a working paper" as definitive findings. Always emphasize that it's a preliminary document subject to revisions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a working paper" is as a noun phrase, functioning as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It refers to a specific type of document in academic and professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a working paper" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to a preliminary research document. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially news, science, and formal business. It serves to disseminate initial findings for discussion and feedback. When using this phrase, it's important to emphasize the preliminary status of the document. Alternatives such as "draft document" or "preliminary report" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a draft document

Focuses on the preliminary stage of the paper, highlighting its unfinished nature.

an unpublished study

Emphasizes the lack of formal publication and peer review.

a preliminary report

Highlights the initial findings and analyses presented in the paper.

a paper in progress

Stresses the ongoing development and potential for changes.

a research draft

Specifies the document's nature as a preliminary version of research.

a discussion paper

Indicates the paper is meant to stimulate discussion and feedback.

a pre-publication manuscript

Highlights the paper's status before it has been formally published.

a provisional study

Implies the study's findings are subject to change based on further analysis.

an interim report

Suggests the paper is a progress update rather than a final conclusion.

an early version of the paper

Focuses on the timeline of the paper's development.

FAQs

How to use "a working paper" in a sentence?

You can use "a working paper" to describe a preliminary version of a research document, for example, "The researcher presented "a working paper" at the conference to gather feedback."

What does it mean to cite something as "a working paper"?

Citing something as "a working paper" means acknowledging that the source is a preliminary document that has not yet undergone peer review or formal publication. It indicates that the findings are subject to change.

What are some alternatives to calling a document "a working paper"?

Alternatives include "draft document", "preliminary report", or "paper in progress", depending on the specific context and stage of development.

Where can I find "a working paper"?

"A working paper" can often be found on academic websites, institutional repositories, or research networks like the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Be sure to check the publication status before citing it.