official paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

"official paperwork" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to any documents or forms that are required or authorized by a government agency, institution, or organization. Example: Please complete the official paperwork for your visa application before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Age is an easy thing to alter in an authoritarian country, he said, because the government has such strict control of official paperwork.

The New York Times - Sports

A flurry of official paperwork followed.

The Guardian

Duke has not yet filed the official paperwork to run.

The Guardian

One Justice Ministry representative invited attendees to call him if they had trouble with official paperwork.

The New York Times

The Department of Correction's official paperwork characterizes this incident as "a multiple inmate fight".

The New Yorker

Once the student accepts the offer, we will send official paperwork.

Harvard University

Prosecutors said the detectives had made the false claims to prosecutors and in official paperwork.

The New York Times

"We don't put official paperwork in the trash," said the commander, Maj.

The New York Times

Kenya still has the remains of a credible civil service, which, though corrupt, still handles the country's official paperwork.

The Economist

The official paperwork is in Finnish, but brokers, nearly all of whom speak English, offer an English translation copy.

The New York Times

It's increasingly clear that the Saudis lured the journalist to visit the consulate to collect official paperwork to remarry.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to specific "official paperwork", be as precise as possible by naming the document or form. For instance, specify 'tax forms' or 'permit application' instead of just "official paperwork".

Common error

Avoid using "official paperwork" when greater specificity is possible. Saying 'the contract' or 'the license application' provides more clarity than the general term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "official paperwork" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to documents and forms authorized or required by an institution, government, or organization. Ludwig shows frequent use in contexts where documentation and administrative processes are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "official paperwork" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to documents and forms authorized or required by an institution, government, or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to identify and categorize specific documents, informing or instructing about their use. Although it sees usage across different registers, it is used with a neutral professional tone. To maximize the quality of your writing, you should consider providing specific names of the documents instead of using the term "official paperwork". Alternatives such as "formal documentation" or "required forms" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official documents

A more general term that could encompass a wider range of official materials.

formal documentation

This alternative emphasizes the structured and standardized nature of the documents involved.

required forms

This focuses on the mandatory aspect of the paperwork, highlighting that it's a necessary step.

government forms

This specifies that the paperwork is issued or required by a government entity.

legal documents

This specifies that the paperwork has legal standing or implications.

administrative forms

This alternative highlights the administrative purpose and context of the documents.

regulatory filings

This is used when referring to documentation submitted to regulatory bodies.

mandated documents

This highlights the compulsory nature of the paperwork, suggesting it is required by a mandate or law.

application forms

This suggests a specific type of paperwork used for applying for something.

record keeping

This emphasizes the act of documenting information for official purposes, rather than the documents themselves.

FAQs

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

You can use "official paperwork" to refer to documents required by an organization or government. For example, "Make sure you have all the "official paperwork" before submitting your application."

What's a good alternative to saying "official paperwork"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "formal documentation", "required forms", or "legal documents". The best choice depends on the specific situation.

Is it better to say "official documents" or "official paperwork"?

"Official documents" is a broader term, while "official paperwork" often implies forms or documents needing completion. The choice depends on the specific context; if you mean any official document, use "official documents"; if you're referring to forms or applications, "official paperwork" is more appropriate.

What kind of documents are considered "official paperwork"?

"Official paperwork" can include a wide array of documents such as application forms, "permit applications", "tax forms", "legal contracts", and "government licenses". The key is that they are required and authorized by an official body.