from the papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from the papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information, articles, or content that originates from newspapers, journals, or other printed documents. Example: "I gathered some interesting facts from the papers for my research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll do more from the papers later.

The Guardian

He also demanded that assets be seized from the papers.

The Guardian

The president looked up from the papers on his desk.

The New York Times

From the papers and his position, he could calculate the explosive power of this new weapon.

The New York Times - Science

Information on how to access past articles from the papers is available here.

The Guardian

"I only learned about the Chicago cow parade from the papers and never received a cent.

The New York Times

She was not thrown out, though you may have thought so from the papers.

The New Yorker

It's best if you don't learn where your husband has been from the papers.

The New Yorker

(Walter's mother killed herself; he found out about his father's remarriage from the papers).

The New Yorker

1.42pm: Here are three good articles from the papers today that have not had a mention yet.

The Guardian

That was called after 18 months of intransigence from the employer – not that you would know that from the papers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "from the papers", ensure the context clearly indicates that the information originates from journalistic publications, differentiating it from academic or other types of documents.

Common error

Avoid using "from the papers" if the source is a mix of documents, reports, and articles. Be specific by saying "from various sources" or listing specific publications instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the papers" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. Ludwig confirms its role in indicating the source of information or actions, as seen in examples where it clarifies where something was learned or obtained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from the papers" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that information is sourced from newspapers or journalistic publications. As Ludwig confirms, it functions mainly to attribute information to these sources. While generally neutral in tone, it's best to use more specific alternatives in formal contexts for clarity. Be aware that "papers" may not always be interpreted as newspapers, so specifying "newspapers" can prevent ambiguity. The phrase is very common, especially within News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from newspaper articles

More explicit about the source being articles within newspapers.

as reported in the newspapers

Specifically indicates that the information was found in newspaper reports.

sourced from the newspapers

Formally states that the information's origin is newspapers.

according to the documents

Specifies that the information comes from official or formal documents rather than just newspapers.

based on the publications

Refers to a broader range of published materials, including journals and books.

gleaned from the reports

Suggests that the information was gathered from various types of reports.

taken from the journals

Implies the source is academic or professional journals.

extracted from the records

Indicates that data or information was pulled from official records.

derived from the texts

Suggests the information was logically deduced from written texts.

in accordance with the documents

Expresses compliance or agreement with information presented in documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "from the papers" to indicate that information or a story originated in newspapers. For example, "I learned about the local election "from the papers" this morning".

What is a more formal alternative to "from the papers"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "according to newspaper reports" or "as documented in journalistic publications". These alternatives are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it always clear that "from the papers" refers to newspapers?

While commonly understood, "from the papers" could be ambiguous if the context involves various types of documents. To avoid confusion, specifying "from the newspapers" is recommended.

How does "from the papers" compare to "according to reports"?

"From the papers" specifically suggests newspapers as the source. "According to reports" is broader, encompassing any type of report whether in print, online, or broadcast media.