in hard copy

USAGE SUMMARY

'in hard copy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe physical documents or copies that are printed out on paper. For example, "Please submit your report to me in hard copy by Wednesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I do edit in hard copy though.

The Guardian - Books

They were Xeroxed and disseminated in hard copy.

The Washington Post

Homeworks can be submitted either electronically or in hard copy.

Princeton University

Few people buy hard-core in hard copy any more.

The Economist

You can't afford to do that in hard copy".

The New York Times - Tech

"Classified information was viewed in hard copy by the Secretary while in the office," it says.

The Washington Post

All materials will be made available to students online or in hard copy.

Cornell University

Students submit their thesis in hard copy, following the formatting specifications provided on the LAIC website.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I flop on the couch to graze a recent issue of "Wired," which arrived anachronistically, in hard-copy format.

The New Yorker

The strictly informational kind, for example: does anyone buy dictionaries and encyclopedias in hard-copy form anymore?

The New York Times - Arts

The company intends to move back towards conventional publishing, with plans to publish every ebook in "hard-copy format".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying how to submit a document, clarify whether you require it "in hard copy" or electronically to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "in hard copy" when you mean a backup. "In hard copy" refers to a physical printout, not a data backup. For backups, use terms like "archived" or "backed up on an external drive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in hard copy" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which something is presented or submitted. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where "in hard copy" specifies the format of documents or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

25%

News & Media

42%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in hard copy" is a very common and grammatically correct way to specify a physical, printed version of a document or information. Ludwig's analysis shows it is widely used across News & Media, Academia, and Science and in neutral contexts. While "hardcopy" is an acceptable one-word alternative, "in hard copy" is more formal. For backups or archives, it's better to use the proper phrases instead of creating misunderstandings. Overall, using "in hard copy" is a clear way to avoid confusion about formatting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardcopy

A single-word form of "in hard copy".

physical copy

Emphasizes the tangible nature of the copy.

physical document

Highlights the tangible nature of the copy.

on paper

Simple and direct way to indicate a paper version.

printed form

Alternative way to say printed version.

printed version

Focuses on the physical printing aspect.

in print

Focuses on the printed state.

printed document

Highlights that it is a document and printed.

paper format

Specifies the medium as paper.

hard format

A shortened version, less common but understandable.

FAQs

What does "in hard copy" mean?

The phrase "in hard copy" refers to a physical document, such as a printed paper, as opposed to a digital or electronic version.

How do I use "in hard copy" in a sentence?

You can use "in hard copy" to specify that a document needs to be submitted as a physical printout. For example, "Please submit your application "in hard copy" to the main office."

Is it correct to write "hardcopy" as one word instead of "in hard copy"?

Yes, "hardcopy" is an accepted single-word form of the phrase "in hard copy", though the two-word version is more common in formal writing. They are interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to saying "in hard copy"?

You can use alternatives like "printed version", "physical copy", or "on paper" depending on the context.