masses of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "masses of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of paper, often in contexts related to documents, printing, or paperwork. Example: "After the meeting, I was left with masses of paper to sort through and organize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He has used his mobile to eliminate the need to carry around masses of paper all over his farm in order to record important information about his livestock.

BBC

The ultimate point is to enable Cemex employees to focus on selling more cement, rather than getting bogged down in things like completing a telephone call or wading through masses of paper to find important customer account data.

Forbes

Martin was sifting through masses of paper strewn across his desk.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Masses of papers.

The New York Times - Books

Because he left masses of papers when he died, and as they were gradually sold to various collections across Europe, many must have gone missing.

The Guardian - Arts

In the long run even the torn pieces of Elizabeth's letter failed to survive, and not a single line of her writing has reached us among all the masses of papers he preserved.

The Guardian - Books

The only extraordinary thing about the Verneys is the great mass of paper they left behind.

The New York Times - Books

Traditionalists perturbed by the mass of paper wealth and new money yearned for the nobility of good taste.

The New York Times

Sifting the mass of paper on a tight deadline was daunting for both historians.The public archives, too, contain undiscovered stories.

The Economist

He could give perspective to the mass of paper by explaining how trades were executed and how the system could be gamed.

The New York Times

This formless mass of paper and gauze sealed with discoloured resin is one of a series of sculptures she made as a response to her own diagnosis with breast cancer.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "masses of paper", consider the context. If you're referring to physical documents, the phrase works well. If you're discussing digital files, consider alternatives like "large amounts of data".

Common error

Avoid using "masses of paper" when describing primarily digital information. This phrase evokes a physical image, so opt for terms like "large volume of data" or "extensive digital records" to maintain relevance and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "masses of paper" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object or complement in a sentence. It quantifies a substantial quantity of paper. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "masses of paper" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a significant quantity of physical paper documents. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples from sources like news and media. While versatile, it's most appropriate for contexts involving tangible paper rather than digital information. Alternatives such as "large quantity of paper" or "substantial amount of paperwork" may be suitable in more formal settings. Keep in mind that in modern writing, due to its evocative nature of the physical world, you may prefer to use alternatives when the context relates to digital information, as suggested in the writing guidance section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantity of paper

Emphasizes the quantity of paper, using more generic terms.

huge amount of paper

Uses "amount" instead of "masses" to denote a significant quantity.

significant volume of paper

Replaces "masses" with "volume" to indicate the bulk of the paper.

large stack of documents

Focuses on documents specifically, implying an organized pile.

mountain of paperwork

Uses a metaphorical "mountain" to exaggerate the quantity of paperwork.

abundance of paper

Highlights the plentiful supply of paper.

profusion of documents

Implies a rich and excessive amount of documents.

copious amounts of paperwork

Uses "copious" to emphasize the plentiful quantity of paperwork.

substantial accumulation of paper

Highlights the gathering or collection of paper over time.

considerable heap of documents

Replaces "masses" with "heap" to describe a disorganized pile of documents.

FAQs

How can I use "masses of paper" in a sentence?

You can use "masses of paper" to describe a large quantity of physical paper documents, such as "The project generated "masses of paper" that needed to be filed."

What is a good alternative to "masses of paper"?

Depending on the context, suitable alternatives to "masses of paper" include "large quantity of paper", "huge amount of paper", or "significant volume of paper".

Is "masses of paper" formal or informal?

"Masses of paper" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings may prefer "large quantity of paper".

What does "masses of paper" imply?

"Masses of paper" implies a substantial amount of physical paper, often suggesting a burden or organizational challenge due to the sheer volume. It can also suggest outdated or inefficient processes relying on paper records.