full of papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of papers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space or container that contains many sheets of paper or documents. Example: "The desk was cluttered and full of papers, making it difficult to find the important documents I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The staff's hands are always full of papers.

The New York Times

Morgan brought tea into the living room with its sagging bookshelves & little tables full of papers.

The New Yorker

Its former tenant, a woman, had died and left if full of papers and furniture.

The New Yorker

The filing cabinets full of papers, however, are destined for the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art.

The New York Times - Arts

The boxes were full of papers, files, posters, CDs, and tapes.

The New Yorker

Nor's desk drawers were boring, full of papers having to do with dull mysteries: mortgages and insurance.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

A nurse holds an IV bag full of paper hearts.

The New Yorker

This has streamlined the process hugely, compared with the days of boxes full of paper files.

The Guardian

There are tidy industrial Dumpsters full of paper, scrap metal and glass, plastic and metal containers.

The New York Times

His office almost certainly contained many creepy closets full of paper-based junk.

The New Yorker

She said she cleaned out the baby's mouth, which was full of paper towel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "full of papers", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of papers are being referred to (e.g., reports, documents, files) for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "full of papers" when a more specific term would be more informative. Instead of saying "the office was full of papers", specify "the office was cluttered with legal documents" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of papers" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it contains a large quantity of papers. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it describing desks, offices, bags, and other containers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "full of papers" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe something containing a large quantity of papers, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it's best used with clear context regarding the type of papers. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media but is also applicable in other contexts. Ludwig's analysis also provides alternatives, such as "awash in paperwork", which can be used for stylistic variation. The phrase is considered neutrally toned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overflowing with documents

Highlights that the quantity of documents exceeds capacity.

awash in paperwork

Replaces "full of papers" with a more figurative expression implying an overwhelming amount of paperwork.

inundated with files

Similar to 'awash', suggests being overwhelmed specifically by files.

burdened with documents

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty associated with handling many documents.

covered in reports

More specific, indicating that the abundance consists of reports.

deluged with memoranda

Uses a stronger term, 'deluged', to convey being overwhelmed by memoranda.

stacked with correspondence

Focuses on written communication, replacing 'papers' with 'correspondence'.

replete with records

A more formal and sophisticated way of saying "full of papers", using 'replete' and 'records'.

littered with forms

Suggests disorganization, with forms scattered around.

jammed with invoices

Specific to invoices, indicating a high volume of billing-related papers.

FAQs

How can I use "full of papers" in a sentence?

You can use "full of papers" to describe a physical space or container that contains a large quantity of papers. For example: "The desk was "full of papers" and difficult to work at."

What are some alternatives to saying "full of papers"?

Alternatives include "awash in paperwork", "burdened with documents", or "overflowing with documents". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "full of papers" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "full of papers" might be considered informal in some contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "replete with records" or "inundated with files" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when something is described as "full of papers"?

When something is described as "full of papers", it means that it contains a large number of documents, files, or other written materials, often suggesting a state of being overwhelmed or disorganized.