bits of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

"bits of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe small pieces of paper like receipts, notes, scraps, strips, or shreds. For example: "My desk was littered with bits of paper I had scribbled on during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

7bn bits of paper come down.

The Guardian - Sport

Bits of paper like your birth certificate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bits of paper never do.

The Guardian

There are bits of paper everywhere".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not pushing bits of paper around.

The Guardian - Music

In the interim, those frangible, inflammable bits of paper had survived, in an age when bits of paper readily perished.

The Guardian

All you've got left is worthless bits of paper.

The Economist

There are bits of paper all over the floor.

The New York Times

"Do what?" "It's on bits of paper everywhere.

The Guardian - Books

Stray bits of paper protrude from his jacket pockets.

The New York Times

The prison without bars is made by bits of paper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a messy or cluttered environment, use "bits of paper" to vividly illustrate the disarray, such as "The floor was covered in bits of paper and discarded wrappers."

Common error

While "bits of paper" is acceptable in general writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "paper fragments" or "paper remnants" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bits of paper" is as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bits of paper" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes small, scattered pieces of paper. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for various contexts, it leans towards a neutral to informal register and is often found in news and media. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "paper fragments" or "paper remnants". This phrase is helpful in vividly illustrating clutter or disarray in descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scraps of paper

Replaces "bits" with "scraps", emphasizing the discarded or remnant nature of the paper.

paper scraps

Similar to "scraps of paper" but slightly different word order.

small pieces of paper

Uses "small pieces" instead of "bits", providing a more literal and descriptive alternative.

paper fragments

Replaces "bits of paper" with a more formal term, "paper fragments", referring to broken or detached parts of paper.

fragments of paper

Similar to "paper fragments" but with a different word order.

paper remnants

Substitutes "bits" with "remnants", focusing on the leftover or remaining portions of paper.

shreds of paper

Implies that the paper has been torn or cut into small pieces.

paper clippings

Refers to small pieces of paper that have been cut out, often from newspapers or magazines.

small notes

Implies the "bits of paper" have writing on them, suggesting they are small messages or reminders.

paper debris

Describes "bits of paper" as waste or scattered remnants.

FAQs

How can I use "bits of paper" in a sentence?

You can use "bits of paper" to describe scattered or small pieces of paper. For example, "Her desk was covered in "bits of paper" with notes and reminders."

What phrases are similar to "bits of paper"?

Alternatives to "bits of paper" include "scraps of paper", "small pieces of paper", or "paper fragments".

Is "bits of paper" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bits of paper" might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "paper remnants" or "paper debris".

What is the difference between "bits of paper" and "pieces of paper"?

Both phrases refer to small portions of paper, but "bits of paper" often implies smaller, more scattered fragments, while "pieces of paper" might suggest more distinct or recognizable portions.