do the papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do the papers" is not standard in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in informal contexts to refer to completing paperwork or tasks related to documents, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "I need to do the papers for my application before the deadline."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Why do the papers leave you alone?" someone asks Bonneville.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But while she seems absolutely central to Wato – in before 7am to do the papers, calling politicians and contacts for quotes or to get them on the phone, writing a lot of her own questions – it is a shift from her time as a reporter.

The Guardian

Marbach would no doubt do the papers proud, but to suggest that a country that has played a very significant role in the preservation of pre-Holocaust eastern and central European Jewish heritage couldn't manage Kafka's papers successfully sounds like a self-serving argument driven by Hoffe's desire to maximise her earnings.

The Guardian - Opinion

What Do the Papers Say?

Science Magazine

Similarly, Lerman (2010) has reviewed some nonexperimental evidence of apprenticeship training that suggest strong positive impacts on subsequent earnings and employment of these workers, as do the papers in Neumark (2007) for a variety of "school-to-work" programs in the US31.A more recent study by Reed et al. (2012) on apprenticeships in several states also suggests strong positive impacts.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

And what do the papers have to lose?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"When you do the paper, you eventually have to get online to finish the process anyway".

The New York Times

And please look at the apps and website as closely as you do the paper.

The Guardian

Do you want to do the paper work first?

BMC Health Services Research

Do the paper yourself to see if it makes sense.

WikiHow

Do work on the computer first, then do the paper work last as to avoid stress.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "do the papers", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to completing paperwork, academic assignments, or handling journalistic tasks. For clarity, provide additional context or specify the type of papers involved.

Common error

Avoid using "do the papers" without specifying what kind of papers you mean. For instance, instead of saying "I need to do the papers", clarify with "I need to complete the application forms" or "I need to finish writing the research paper".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do the papers" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "do" acts as the main verb and "the papers" serves as the direct object. It indicates the action of working on, completing, or handling specified documents or assignments. Examples from Ludwig show various contexts, including journalistic tasks and academic assignments. The Ludwig AI flags this as not standard written english.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do the papers" is an acceptable but somewhat informal way to refer to completing documents, assignments, or journalistic tasks. While Ludwig flags that the phrase is not standard in written English, its usage is relatively common across various contexts, especially in news media and informal communications. For clarity, specifying the type of papers involved is advisable, particularly in formal settings. Alternatives such as "complete the paperwork" or "finish the assignments" can offer more precision. Despite its varied usage, the context usually dictates the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete the papers

Replaces "do" with "complete", focusing on finishing the tasks related to documents.

finish the papers

Similar to "complete the papers", emphasizing the act of finalizing paperwork or assignments.

work on the papers

Focuses on the effort of processing documents or school assignments.

handle the papers

Highlights the act of managing or processing documents.

process the documents

Uses a more formal term, "documents", to describe the items being handled.

prepare the documents

Focuses on getting the papers ready or in order.

deal with the papers

Implies managing or addressing issues related to the papers.

manage the documents

Suggests overseeing and controlling the documents.

take care of the papers

Emphasizes the responsibility of handling documents properly.

attend to the documents

Indicates giving attention and action to the documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "do the papers" to refer to completing paperwork, like in the sentence "I need to "complete the application forms"". Remember to provide context for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "do the papers"?

Alternatives include phrases like "complete the paperwork", "finish the papers", or "work on the assignments", depending on the context.

Is "do the papers" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "do the papers" is informal and can be vague. It's generally acceptable in casual conversation, but more precise language is better for formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "do the papers"?

It's appropriate in informal settings when the context makes it clear what "papers" refers to, such as homework or specific documents. In formal situations, use more specific terms like "complete the paperwork".