intricate paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intricate paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe complex or detailed documents that require careful attention or effort to understand or complete. Example: "The project required a significant amount of intricate paperwork, which delayed the approval process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The lawyer puts those documents into a loan-modification application — intricate paperwork that varies by lender and servicer — and follows that up with repeated calls to the loan officer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The art department of the museum relied heavily on loans and traveling exhibitions in its first years, and that required intricate coordination and copious paperwork.

Los Angeles Times

Intricate, inflexible and open-ended, the process seems to value perfect paperwork over speedy resolutions, local officials here say, and requires endless haggling over every acoustic ceiling tile and paper-towel dispenser.

The New York Times

(Those were intricate times).

The New Yorker

The backstory is intricate.

The New Yorker

No paperwork.

The New York Times

The paperwork".

The New Yorker

"Computer, paperwork.

The New Yorker

It was intricate and exponential.

The New Yorker

The arrangements are quite intricate.

The New York Times - Arts

So were the intricate legs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intricate paperwork", ensure the context clearly indicates why the paperwork is complex. For instance, specify if it's due to legal requirements, technical details, or regulatory compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "intricate paperwork" when the documents are merely numerous or tedious. "Intricate" implies a genuine level of complexity that requires specialized knowledge or significant effort to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intricate paperwork" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "intricate" modifies the noun "paperwork". It describes the paperwork as being complex and detailed. Ludwig AI shows examples where it emphasizes the challenging nature of dealing with such documentation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intricate paperwork" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe paperwork that is complex and detailed. Ludwig AI confirms that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the use of "intricate" to accurately convey the level of complexity involved. Alternatives like "complex documentation" or "detailed forms" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to express. This phrase implies more than just a large volume of documents; it suggests a challenging level of complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex documentation

Replaces "intricate" with "complex", emphasizing the complicated nature of the documents.

detailed forms

Focuses on the level of detail required in the paperwork.

complicated paperwork

Highlights the difficulty in dealing with the paperwork.

extensive documentation

Emphasizes the large amount of documentation involved.

elaborate forms

Stresses the thoroughness and detail in the forms.

complex paperwork procedures

Adds the idea of procedures involved.

thorny paperwork

Emphasizes the problematic nature of dealing with paperwork.

convoluted documents

Highlights the confusing and complex structure of the documents.

cumbersome paperwork

Focuses on the difficulty and inefficiency of handling the paperwork.

exacting forms

Highlights the precision required when dealing with forms.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Navigating the loan modification process involves a lot of "intricate paperwork" that varies by lender" or "The project was delayed because of the "intricate paperwork" required for environmental permits".

What are some alternatives to "intricate paperwork"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "complex documentation", "detailed forms", or "complicated paperwork". These alternatives convey the complexity or detail associated with the documents.

Is "intricate paperwork" formal or informal?

"Intricate paperwork" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports or business communications. However, in very informal settings, simpler terms like "complicated forms" might be more appropriate.

What makes paperwork "intricate"?

Paperwork becomes "intricate" when it involves numerous interconnected elements, requires specialized knowledge to complete, or has complex legal or regulatory implications. It's more than just a large quantity of documents; it involves complexity in the content itself.