outstanding paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to paperwork that is exceptional or noteworthy, often in a positive context, such as in a professional or academic setting. Example: "The team submitted outstanding paperwork for the project, showcasing their attention to detail and thorough research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

My "matching panels", which match a child to their prospective adoptive parent, were repeatedly cancelled for months and months due to "outstanding paperwork".

The Guardian - Opinion

The next stop was to be Poti, but just leaving Batumi required an enormous amount of negotiation with an overanxious port official who kept trying to recall the boat on the grounds of some fanciful outstanding paperwork.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If you have outstanding deals and paperwork - anything needing a signature - jump to it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Finance Department recently sent agencies paperwork for $209 million in outstanding fines — owed by 446,000 vehicle owners for 1.4 million tickets — for collection.

The New York Times

As a result, they will most likely lose their homes eventually, once the banks clean up their paperwork and resolve any outstanding legal issues.

The New York Times

From the 4,627 employees who had received letters, another 23 remained outstanding due to sickness, holiday or paperwork still being processed, she added.

BBC

No paperwork.

The New York Times

The paperwork".

The New Yorker

"Computer, paperwork.

The New Yorker

Outstanding player?

The New York Times

Outstanding play.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outstanding paperwork", ensure the context clarifies whether you mean 'uncompleted' or 'exceptional'. If there's ambiguity, rephrase for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding paperwork" if you specifically mean 'exceptional'. The more common interpretation is 'pending' or 'incomplete'. Use "exceptional documentation" or "impressive paperwork" instead to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding paperwork" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" acts as a pre-modifying adjective describing the noun "paperwork". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outstanding paperwork" refers to documentation that is either incomplete or exceptionally well-prepared. It's more commonly used to denote pending or unresolved documents, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, and appears mainly in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, be mindful of potential ambiguity; if you mean 'exceptional', using phrases like "exceptional documentation" is recommended. Always ensure the context makes it clear whether you are referring to incomplete or impressive documents to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pending paperwork

Simply restates the unresolved aspect.

incomplete documentation

Focuses on the lack of completion rather than quality or being unresolved.

pending documents

Highlights the 'waiting' aspect of the paperwork.

unsubmitted forms

Emphasizes that the forms haven't been turned in yet.

unresolved documents

Highlights that the documents are still not settled or completed.

missing documentation

Stresses the absence of needed documents.

exceptional documents

Shifts the meaning to paperwork of very high quality or impressiveness.

impressive documentation

Similar to 'exceptional documents', this emphasizes the high standard of the paperwork.

remarkable paperwork

Highlights the noteworthiness of the paperwork, good or bad.

unfinished paperwork

Highlights the fact that work isn't done on the papers.

FAQs

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

You can use "outstanding paperwork" to refer to documentation that is either incomplete or exceptionally well-prepared. For example, 'The project was delayed due to "outstanding paperwork"', meaning paperwork that still needed to be completed. Alternatively, in a more formal context it could mean, 'The team submitted "outstanding paperwork" for the audit'.

What does "outstanding paperwork" usually mean?

The phrase "outstanding paperwork" typically refers to paperwork that is still pending, incomplete, or unresolved. However, it can also (though less commonly) refer to paperwork that is exceptionally well-done or impressive.

What can I say instead of "outstanding paperwork" if I mean 'incomplete paperwork'?

If you mean 'incomplete paperwork', you can use alternatives like "pending paperwork", "unsubmitted documents", or "missing documentation".

What can I say instead of "outstanding paperwork" if I mean 'exceptional paperwork'?

If you mean 'exceptional paperwork', you can use alternatives like "exceptional documentation", "impressive paperwork", or "remarkable paperwork".