back of the paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back of the paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the reverse side or the rear part of a sheet of paper. Example: "Please write your notes on the back of the paper to save space on the front."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

There's an outdoorsy feel to the back of the paper.

The Guardian

It rarely gets into the back of the paper.

The Guardian

On the back of the paper my son brought home from school, the teacher requested that the parents write an idiom that befits their child.

The New York Times

They're the tiny strips of cloth that lie at the top and bottom of a book, between the back of the paper and the spine.

The New York Times

His column, by now written with Stella Foster, began to appear less often, twice a week, and was pushed toward the back of the paper.

The New York Times

Warner pointed to the back of the paper path, where the fuser was situated: a set of black rubber rollers heated to three hundred and eighty-five degrees.

The New Yorker

Near the back of the paper, the weekly Cuttings section specializes in the lighter side of life in the oil patch.

The New York Times

"Generally speaking, they're tucked away toward the back of the paper," said Paul Gilbert, a media lawyer at Finers Stephens Innocent.

The New York Times

One, a glamorous Egyptian socialite, makes the front page; the other, a local prostitute, is relegated to a short paragraph at the back of the paper.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a back-of-the-envelope notion, a paper-fed pipe-dream.

The Guardian - Books

Looking through the backs of the paper, I could see photocopies of passports from all over Europe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "back of the paper" to clearly indicate the reverse side, especially when distinguishing it from the front.

Common error

Avoid using "behind the paper" when you mean the reverse side. "Behind the paper" implies a spatial relationship, while "back of the paper" refers to the physical reverse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back of the paper" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier or prepositional complement. It denotes a specific location on a physical object, such as in the example from Ludwig: "On the back of the paper my son brought home from school..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

43%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back of the paper" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to specify the reverse side of a sheet of paper. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in both News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. While alternatives like "reverse side of the paper" exist, "back of the paper" remains a clear and widely understood choice. It's essential to differentiate it from similar phrases like "behind the paper" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse side of the paper

Emphasizes the physical aspect of the opposite side.

backside of the sheet

Highlights the sheet's physical presence.

rear of the paper

Similar to reverse, but might imply a slightly different orientation.

the paper's reverse

More concise and direct.

other side of the page

Focuses on the page as a unit, rather than the material.

the paper's rear surface

Highlights the surface quality.

flip side of the paper

Suggests a casual or informal tone.

underside of the paper

Emphasizes the bottom surface.

verso of the paper

A more technical or formal term.

on the back page

Describes only when the paper in question is a page or periodical.

FAQs

How can I use "back of the paper" in a sentence?

You can use "back of the paper" to refer to the reverse side of a document or sheet. For example, "Write your contact information on the back of the paper".

What is a more formal alternative to "back of the paper"?

A more formal alternative would be "reverse side of the paper" or "verso of the paper", particularly in technical or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "at the back of the paper" instead of "back of the paper"?

While "at the back of the paper" isn't inherently incorrect, it's less common and can be ambiguous. "Back of the paper" typically refers to the physical reverse side, whereas "at the back" might imply a location within a stack or document, rather than the physical side itself.

What's the difference between "back of the paper" and "back of the book"?

"Back of the paper" refers to the reverse side of a single sheet of paper. "Back of the book" usually refers to the end section of a book, such as an index or appendix. While both use "back of", they describe different physical entities.