obtain papers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain papers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of acquiring documents or official papers, such as identification, legal documents, or academic records. Example: "In order to apply for the job, you will need to obtain papers that verify your qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It forced the police to obtain papers from passengers as well as drivers, and it ordered the state to maintain a database of known "illegals," recalling antebellum ads spotlighting runaway slaves.

The New York Times

One of the things a junior faculty member can do to obtain papers and grants aside from doing stellar research is to establish a community of colleagues through conferences and collaborations.

Science Magazine

Searches were conducted in PubMed in order to obtain papers reporting about a) the development or psychometric assessment of instruments measuring HRQOL in children and adolescents up to the age of 18, and b) on the conceptual framework of HRQOL in children.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Second thoughts: the contents are definitely in the public interest; journalists deal in what might be termed "stolen goods" all the time in the sense that they acquire leaked documents and pictures; a disk is merely a modern form of paper, and we routinely obtain paper documents.

The Guardian

"Significant cost savings" would also result from "reducing the need to obtain paper copies of licences from policyholders", the association added.

BBC

In December, lawyers for the actor Sienna Miller obtained papers that implicated Edmondson in the hacking of her and eight of her friends and family.

The Guardian

The three-page unpublished memorandum discloses that as part of the deal, Leigh Day also agreed to be paid by Cape to prevent other legal teams obtaining papers uncovered during the litigation.

The Guardian

The reducibility of the obtained papers was investigated by XPS and Raman.

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

At the same time, we need to acknowledge that there may be legitimate state concerns about fraudulently obtained papers.

Huffington Post

Reference lists of all obtained papers were searched.

BMC Gastroenterology

Reference lists of all obtained papers were searched in addition.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required; "obtain papers" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. For more formal situations, "procure documents" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "obtain papers" without specifying the type of papers, as it can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "He needs to obtain papers", specify "He needs to obtain legal papers" or "He needs to obtain research papers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain papers" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where "obtain" is the verb indicating the action of acquiring and "papers" is the noun representing the object being acquired. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain papers" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies the act of acquiring documents. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it is versatile and applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. When using "obtain papers", it's best to specify the type of papers to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "acquire documents" or "secure paperwork" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire documents

Focuses more on the act of getting documents, often in a formal or official context.

secure paperwork

Implies making paperwork safe or certain, but can also mean obtaining it.

procure documents

Suggests a more formal and possibly complex process of obtaining documents.

get hold of documents

Indicates obtaining something that might be difficult to access.

collect documents

Emphasizes gathering multiple documents together.

fetch documents

Suggests retrieving documents, often from a specific location.

access documents

Highlights the ability to see and use documents, not necessarily ownership.

gain access to papers

Similar to "access documents" but puts more emphasis on overcoming a barrier.

receive documents

Focuses on the act of being given documents by someone else.

find documents

Implies discovering documents that were previously lost or hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain papers" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain papers" when referring to the act of acquiring documents or official papers. For example, "In order to apply for the job, you will need to "obtain papers" that verify your qualifications".

What are some alternatives to "obtain papers"?

Alternatives include "acquire documents", "secure paperwork", or "procure documents", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "obtain papers" formal or informal?

"Obtain papers" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more informal situations, you might use phrases like "get the papers".

What kind of papers are usually implied when using "obtain papers"?

The kind of papers implied depends on the context. It could refer to legal documents, research papers, identification documents, or any other type of official or important documents. Always specify the type of papers when possible.