heavy paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

'heavy paperwork' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where there is a lot of paperwork to complete or sort through. For example, "I can't take any more vacation time until I finish all the heavy paperwork I have on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Small, frequent purchases of stocks can mean heavy paperwork if shares are sold, to determine the capital gains.

The New York Times

The firm's cockpits went "paperless" in 2013 to save its staff having to lug heavy paperwork on board.

BBC

Stricter credit score limits, large down payments and even heavy paperwork requirements have kept many would-be borrowers from buying a home in recent years, but new rules put in place by the government-sponsored enterprises may change that.

Huffington Post

Efficiency of UNTFHS procedures The length of time and heavy paperwork required by the Government of Japan for project approval has been a major setback for the project under review.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In 2005, Mrs. Jacks and Chief Jacks's son, Vern Jacks Jr., visited both museums, and then began the arduous, paperwork-heavy process for repatriating remains, first from New York.

The New York Times

Either way, a CRA job is heavy in paperwork and requires good organizational and people skills.

Science Magazine

The FAA found cases in which the baggage load was more than 1,000 pounds heavier than paperwork indicated, the Journal reported.

Los Angeles Times

To help accomplish this, Washington should free American citizens working abroad from the heavy load of paperwork that it now requires of them.

The New York Times

The number of police on the payroll is a quarter higher than when Labour came to power, but the officers are less visible than before thanks to a heavy increase in paperwork.

The Economist

He added that a heavy burden of paperwork meant that despite long hours he felt overwhelmed and ineffective.

BBC

The standardised workflows provided made local staff familiar with new protocols and helped them to reduce accidental errors or any new heavy burden of paperwork.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavy paperwork", consider the audience. In formal contexts, you might prefer "significant documentation requirements", while in informal settings, "lots of paperwork" may suffice.

Common error

Don't use "heavy paperwork" lightly. This phrase suggests a substantial burden, not just routine forms. If it's standard procedure, find a more neutral term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy paperwork" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation involving a significant amount of documentation. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavy paperwork" effectively describes a situation burdened by extensive documentation, as validated by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and broadly understood, its register leans towards neutral, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in written English, emphasizing its role in describing tasks involving a lot of documentation. When using the phrase, consider the audience and the specific context to ensure the most appropriate and impactful communication, choosing alternatives like "significant documentation requirements" where greater formality is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voluminous paperwork

Similar in meaning, emphasizes the sheer volume of the paperwork.

significant paperwork burden

Specifically describes the weight and impact of the paperwork.

cumbersome paperwork

Emphasizes the difficulty and inconvenience associated with the paperwork.

complicated paperwork process

Focuses on the complexity and difficulty of completing the required forms.

extensive documentation

Focuses on the breadth of the documents required, rather than the burden they create.

substantial documentation requirements

Highlights the formal demands for paperwork.

excessive red tape

Highlights the bureaucratic obstacles and delays caused by the paperwork.

extensive bureaucratic procedures

Refers to the formal, often complex, steps and requirements involved.

mountain of forms

Uses a metaphor to illustrate the overwhelming quantity of paperwork.

onerous administrative tasks

Shifts the focus to the demanding nature of the administrative work.

FAQs

How can I use "heavy paperwork" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new regulations created a "significant paperwork burden" for small businesses" or "Dealing with the "cumbersome paperwork" took up most of the afternoon".

What is a synonym for "heavy paperwork"?

Alternatives include "extensive documentation", "substantial documentation requirements", or simply "lots of forms", depending on the context.

What does it mean to describe something as "heavy paperwork"?

Describing something as "heavy paperwork" means that it involves a large amount of documentation, forms, or administrative tasks, often perceived as burdensome or time-consuming.

Is "heavy paperwork" formal or informal?

The term "heavy paperwork" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In more formal settings, you might opt for terms like "voluminous paperwork" or "significant paperwork burden".