check your papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "check your papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to review or verify their documents or written work. Example: "Before submitting your application, make sure to check your papers for any errors or missing information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They check your papers and ask if you're legal or illegal.

Vice

Sign up for Theybest of VICE, delivered to your inbox daily.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Check your paper this Sunday for the full list of deals.

TechCrunch

Check your paper size.

WikiHow

Have others check your paper.

WikiHow

Also check your paper twice for yourself to make sure the content makes sense.

WikiHow

Spell check your paper and make sure that it conforms to all stylistic, formal and length requirements.

WikiHow

Make sure you write down important account numbers before you lose your wallet, or check your paper or electronic bills for the account numbers and contact information.

WikiHow

You've doubled and triple-checked your papers to make sure you haven't made any small mistakes.

Huffington Post

In that case, you need to check your account regularly — either online, or by checking your paper statement — for suspicious charges.

The New York Times

Check your local papers and websites for more beautiful bargains.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "check your papers" in an academic setting, be specific about what aspects to check, such as grammar, citations, or formatting.

Common error

Don't rely solely on automated spell-check tools when you "check your papers". These tools may miss contextual errors or subtle nuances in meaning. Always proofread manually to catch mistakes that software might overlook.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check your papers" functions primarily as an imperative, directing the listener or reader to perform an action. Ludwig shows its use in contexts where verification or scrutiny of documentation is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

9%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "check your papers" is a directive to verify or scrutinize documents, commonly used to ensure accuracy or compliance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and its suitability for various contexts, though it appears with more frequency in news, media, and wiki sources. Related alternatives include "verify your documents" and "review your documents", which offer slightly different nuances in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verify your documents

Replaces "papers" with the more formal "documents", emphasizing official verification.

review your documents

Uses "review" instead of "check", suggesting a more thorough examination.

proofread your essay

Specifies the type of paper being checked, focusing on academic writing.

go over your notes

Shifts the context to informal notes, implying a quick review for accuracy.

validate your credentials

Emphasizes the authentication of qualifications or skills.

scrutinize your paperwork

Replaces "check" with a stronger verb, indicating intense and critical examination of paperwork.

examine your records

Uses "records" in place of "papers", suggesting a more formal and official context.

inspect your files

Suggests a detailed investigation or assessment of stored documents.

assess your reports

Implies evaluating the quality and accuracy of formal reports.

audit your accounts

Specifies financial records, shifting to an accounting context.

FAQs

How can I use "check your papers" in a sentence?

You can use "check your papers" to instruct someone to review their documents. For example, "Before submitting the application, "check your papers" for any missing information."

What's a more formal way to say "check your papers"?

A more formal way to say "check your papers" is to say "verify your documents" or "review your documents", especially when referring to official or legal documents.

Is it better to say "check your paper" or "check your papers"?

The choice between "check your paper" and "check your papers" depends on the context. Use "check your paper" when referring to a single document or essay. Use "check your papers" when referring to multiple documents or a collection of documents.

What does "check your papers" mean in a legal context?

In a legal or immigration context, "check your papers" can refer to verifying someone's identification and legal status. It implies an examination of documents such as passports, visas, or other forms of identification.