among the papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among the papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a location or situation where something is situated within a collection of documents or written materials. Example: "I found the missing report among the papers scattered on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Each possible order is equally represented among the papers.

The Economist

Sold this week via Alexander Historical Auctions, the letter was found among the papers of Herrera.

The Guardian - Books

Those poems were found among the papers of many of the Decembrists.

The Guardian - Books

He saw passports and airline-ticket envelopes among the papers and reached out to open them.

The New Yorker

Among the papers the father round one headed "Salutatio;" the text of the oration.

The New Yorker

Their correspondence and some of Professor Kobylka's draft chapters are among the papers.

The New York Times

Among the papers he unearthed were several unpublished works that he is now making public.

The New York Times - Arts

Among the papers filed in court, a search warrant affidavit sworn out by F.B.I.

The New York Times

The Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Winston-Salem Journal are among the papers being sold.

The New York Times

Haaretz reported that a handwritten short story by Kafka, never before seen, is among the papers.

The New York Times - Books

Among the papers investigators found were Mr. Frankel's to-do list headed by a reminder to "launder money".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "among the papers", ensure the context clearly establishes which specific set of documents you're referring to. For example, specify "among the papers filed in court" or "among the professor's papers" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "among the papers" when the specific documents are not clear or defined. Overusing this phrase without context can make your writing vague and confusing. Provide specific details about the documents you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among the papers" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location or context. It specifies that something is situated or found within a collection of documents. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function, such as "passports and airline-ticket envelopes among the papers" and "correspondence and some of Professor Kobylka's draft chapters are among the papers."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "among the papers" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is located within a collection of documents. Ludwig's analysis reveals it is most frequently used in news and media, but also appears in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify which set of documents you are referring to. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and serves to provide contextual information about the location of a particular item within a documentary context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the documents

Changes the preposition to "within" and uses the more formal term "documents".

in the documents

Uses the preposition "in" for a more direct indication of location.

inside the files

Replaces "papers" with "files", suggesting a digital or organized collection.

in the paperwork

Substitutes "papers" with "paperwork", implying official or administrative documents.

amidst the documents

Replaces "among" with "amidst" for a more literary or emphatic tone.

within the records

Uses "records" instead of "papers", suggesting official or historical documents.

in the collection of papers

Adds specificity by explicitly mentioning "collection".

scattered throughout the papers

Emphasizes the distribution of something throughout the documents.

buried in the stack of papers

Indicates that something is difficult to find within the papers.

contained in the files

Focuses on the containment aspect, implying the papers are enclosed.

FAQs

How can I use "among the papers" in a sentence?

You can use "among the papers" to indicate that something is located within a collection of documents. For example: "The original contract was found "among the papers" in the filing cabinet."

What are some alternatives to saying "among the papers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in the documents", "within the files", or "within the records" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "among the papers" and "in the papers"?

"Among the papers" suggests something is located within a collection or group of documents, while "in the papers" might refer to something published or reported "in the newspapers" or academic articles.

When should I use "among the documents" instead of "among the papers"?

Use "among the documents" when referring to more formal or official collections of written materials, such as legal documents or archives. "Among the papers" can be used in more general contexts.