bureaucratic paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bureaucratic paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the official documents and forms that are often required in administrative processes, typically associated with government or organizational procedures. Example: "Filling out the bureaucratic paperwork took longer than I expected, delaying the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"It seems you get lost in this bureaucratic paperwork".

The New York Times

And many costs remain hidden within stacks of bureaucratic paperwork.

The New York Times

Alongside a trash-pickup video, she exhibits the bureaucratic paperwork involved in the adoption.

The Washington Post

Increasingly bureaucratic paperwork is a pain, complains Sidharth Sharma of Shambala Festival, a smaller event, while providing better food and drink is expensive.

The Economist

That could eliminate trillions of pages of bureaucratic paperwork, remnants of the License Raj, the old system that governed India's closed economy.

The New York Times

For many drivers, the $1.5 billion taxi industry can be a morass of multilevel companies, arcane contracts and medallion owners whose names sometimes remain veiled by bureaucratic paperwork.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Policy makers could encourage more doctors to stay in the profession by reforming the malpractice system to protect them from frivolous lawsuits, safeguarding their pay from further Medicare cuts and lightening the burden of bureaucratic regulations and paperwork.

The New York Times

The ministry tracks only displaced people who come forward voluntarily and pass a series of bureaucratic hurdles involving paperwork at a minimum of three different government offices, Mr. Nowroz said.

The New York Times

Right now, for a business to take online payments in the country, it needs to go through a lot of paperwork, bureaucratic red tape, and wait time, often in a process that needs to be done region-by-region.

TechCrunch

Some landlords said they didn't like jumping through bureaucratic hoops, from paperwork to routine housing inspections, to check for health and safety issues, such as lead paint and faulty electricity.

Huffington Post

Still, seemingly endless paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles have overwhelmed some families.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government processes or organizational procedures, use "bureaucratic paperwork" to accurately convey the sense of complex and often tedious documentation.

Common error

While "bureaucratic paperwork" is accurate, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler terms like "forms" or "documents" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bureaucratic paperwork" functions as a noun phrase, where "bureaucratic" modifies "paperwork". This signifies documentation that is characteristic of a bureaucracy, often implying complexity and tediousness. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing processes and requirements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bureaucratic paperwork" is a commonly used phrase to describe official documentation, particularly when it involves complex and tedious processes. Ludwig examples show it's frequently employed in news and media to critique or explain administrative hurdles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While accurate, simpler terms may be preferable in informal contexts. Related phrases include "administrative documentation" and "regulatory filings", each with slightly different connotations. The phrase carries a neutral to professional register and is best used when precision and a sense of formality are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administrative documentation

Replaces "bureaucratic" with "administrative", emphasizing the formal process aspect but sounding less negative.

official forms and documents

Breaks down the phrase to highlight the specific components, making it more descriptive.

regulatory filings

Focuses on the regulatory aspect, implying compliance and oversight.

compliance documents

Highlights the aspect of adhering to rules and regulations.

governmental red tape

Uses a more informal term, "red tape", to describe excessive bureaucracy.

onerous paperwork requirements

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of the paperwork.

cumbersome documentation

Highlights the difficulty and inefficiency associated with the documentation.

official processing documents

Emphasizes that the official documents are used for a particular processing purpose.

mandatory reporting documents

Emphasizes that certain reports are mandatory to hand in when requested.

legal documentation processes

Emphasizes the legal aspect and how documents should be processed.

FAQs

How can I use "bureaucratic paperwork" in a sentence?

You can use "bureaucratic paperwork" to describe complex official documentation, like: "The project was delayed due to excessive "bureaucratic paperwork"."

What are some alternatives to "bureaucratic paperwork"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "administrative documentation", "official forms and documents", or "regulatory filings".

Is "bureaucratic paperwork" formal or informal?

"Bureaucratic paperwork" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, suitable for professional or news contexts. Simpler terms might be preferable in casual conversations.

What makes "bureaucratic paperwork" different from "administrative paperwork"?

"Bureaucratic paperwork" often implies a negative connotation of excessive complexity and red tape, while "administrative paperwork" is a more neutral term referring to formal processes.