filled in paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled in paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of completing forms or documents, typically for administrative or official purposes. Example: "After the meeting, I filled in the paperwork required for the new project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But as officers filled in paperwork in the carpark, somehow Tucker was able to slip his handcuffs, open the back door of the patrol car and walk calmly out of the facility.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 2010, it calculated it spent 7,399 hours filling in paperwork associated with funding.

The Guardian

We've lost a community where kicking a ball around doesn't require filling in paperwork and carrying insurance to reserve a slot on Thursday afternoon week after next.

The New York Times

One day, after law school, she was working in her mum's gift shop, filling in paperwork.

Vice

The presumption works in the employer's favor, and the employee usually must engage in some sort of override to be paid for a missed break - like notifying a supervisor or filling in paperwork.

Huffington Post

"The anti-choice movement is increasingly borrowing tactics from the US, whether it's in the form of abortion clinic protests, demands for new regulations on how clinics work, or calls for the prosecution of doctors – not for failing to care for women properly, but for failing to fill in paperwork correctly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Monolingual Spanish-speaking or illiterate parents did not understand official forms written in English and so relied extensively on bilingual staff at health clinics or social service agencies to fill in paperwork and facilitate access to care for their children.

BMC Oral Health

After we spent about 10 minutes filling in the paperwork, the agent suddenly announced that I must take excess insurance for €65 (£50).

The Guardian - Money

Yet here she is, filling in the paperwork NASA requires from people it deems "highly qualified" applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Class of 2013.Last year, at an astronomy meeting, Babbage bumped into an astronaut she had last seen on NASA's live spacewalk webcast, climbing into the Hubble space telescope.

The Economist

"We'd rather see inspectors and animal-welfare experts and vets spend time improving conditions for big animals of concern, like monkeys, and not filling in detailed paperwork to changing the diet of a mouse," says Festing.

Science Magazine

Before I left, getting everything sorted involved filling in lots of paperwork and this taught me to be more organised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "filled in paperwork", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific forms or documents are being completed to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "filled in the application paperwork".

Common error

Avoid using "filled in paperwork" when referring to digital forms or online submissions. Instead, opt for phrases like "completed the online form" or "submitted the digital application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled in paperwork" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of completing necessary forms or documents. Ludwig provides examples across various contexts, showcasing its adaptability. The phrase is often part of a larger sentence structure, describing a process or requirement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filled in paperwork" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that denotes the act of completing forms or documents. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility through examples spanning various contexts, including news, science, and formal business. While perfectly acceptable in both physical and increasingly digital scenarios, being specific about the forms is advised. Alternatives like "completed the forms" or "submitted the forms" can provide subtle variations in meaning. This phrase is more common in news, media, and science-related content. Overall, "filled in paperwork" is a reliable and clear way to describe the completion of necessary forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed the forms

Focuses on the action of finishing forms, instead of the filling process.

filled out the forms

Similar meaning, uses "out" instead of "in" with the verb "fill".

completed the documentation

Replaces "paperwork" with a more formal term, "documentation".

submitted the forms

Emphasizes the act of handing in the completed paperwork.

processed the documents

Highlights the handling and manipulation of documents.

prepared the paperwork

Focuses on the preparation aspect of completing forms.

handled the application

Refers to managing an application by completing the required forms.

executed the forms

Implies a formal or official completion of the paperwork.

lodged the documents

Similar to 'submitted', but used in contexts where documents are officially registered.

drafted the paperwork

Suggests writing and compiling the paperwork from scratch.

FAQs

What's the difference between "filled in paperwork" and "filled out paperwork"?

Both "filled in paperwork" and "filled out paperwork" are commonly used and generally interchangeable. Some people might prefer one over the other based on regional dialect, but they essentially mean the same thing: to complete a form or document by providing the required information.

Is it more appropriate to say "filled in the form" or "filled out the form"?

Both "filled in the form" and "filled out the form" are correct. The choice often depends on personal preference or regional usage. Both options are widely understood and accepted.

What can I say instead of "filled in paperwork"?

You can use alternatives like "completed the forms", "submitted the forms", or "processed the documents" depending on the context.

Can "filled in paperwork" be used for digital forms?

While "filled in paperwork" traditionally refers to physical documents, it's becoming increasingly acceptable to use it for digital forms as well. However, phrases like "completed the online form" may be clearer in a digital context.