doing paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

"doing paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to administrative tasks. For example, "Many of my job duties involve doing paperwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I spend my days doing paperwork," he said.

The New Yorker

Ms. Anhalt's husband, Lou, is there almost every day, hiding in a back office, doing paperwork.

The New York Times

Greenhouse realised that its coaches were spending 30% of their time doing paperwork.

The Guardian

"I always said I'd sleep when I'm dead, and yet here I am doing paperwork".

The New Yorker

He wasn't paying bills, and he wasn't doing paperwork from work.

The New York Times

Yousif was at the armory doing paperwork and later distributed cellphones to National Guard members at ground zero.

The New York Times

He shed his jacket and began doing paperwork in his T-shirt as waves lapped against the shore.

The New York Times

"After farming for 12 hours a day, I am not going to spend two hours doing paperwork," he said.

The New York Times

Janikowski approached Knight as he was doing paperwork in his patrol car and offered the bribe, according to the police.

The New York Times - Sports

He admits it is too easy for him to spend hours there doing paperwork after office hours.

The New York Times

On one of his last days in the station house on Fourth Avenue, he sat at a desk doing paperwork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a job role, use "doing paperwork" to succinctly convey the administrative aspect of the position.

Common error

Avoid using "doing paperwork" in highly informal settings where simpler terms like "filling things out" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing paperwork" functions as a verbal phrase acting as a gerund, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and denotes the action of handling administrative documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing paperwork" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe administrative tasks involving documents and forms. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It finds its primary usage in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts, making it suitable for professional communications and informative content. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's best to avoid it in very informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives. Remember to consider the specific context and audience when using "doing paperwork" to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handling documentation

Focuses on the management and manipulation of documents, emphasizing the active handling aspect.

processing forms

Highlights the action of completing and submitting forms, usually within a structured process.

completing administrative tasks

Broader term that includes various non-clerical tasks associated with administration.

managing records

Emphasizes the organization and maintenance of records, both physical and digital.

filling out forms

Specifically refers to the act of writing information on forms.

attending to administrative duties

Highlights the obligation and attention given to administrative tasks.

taking care of documentation

Implies responsibility and care in managing documents.

dealing with official forms

Refers to the management of official documents, focusing on formal contexts.

undertaking clerical work

Emphasizes the office-based and often routine nature of the work.

taking on admin responsibilities

Focuses on the acceptance and execution of administrative responsibilities.

FAQs

How can I replace the phrase "doing paperwork" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "handling documentation", "processing forms", or "completing administrative tasks" depending on the specific context.

Is "doing paperwork" considered formal or informal language?

"Doing paperwork" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for professional and news contexts, but might be too formal for casual conversations.

What type of tasks are generally included when someone says they are "doing paperwork"?

"Doing paperwork" typically encompasses tasks like filling out forms, managing records, processing documents, and other administrative duties.

How does "doing paperwork" differ from "administrative work"?

"Administrative work" is a broader term that includes a variety of tasks, while "doing paperwork" specifically refers to tasks involving physical or digital documents and forms.