pieces of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pieces of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple individual sheets or fragments of paper, often in contexts involving writing, printing, or documentation. Example: "She handed me several pieces of paper filled with notes from the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No crumpled pieces of paper.

The New York Times

Little pieces of paper.

The Guardian - Music

Two pieces of paper.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And little pieces of paper".

The New Yorker

These, too, are pieces of paper.

The New Yorker

Other pieces of paper are more mundane.

The New York Times

Just handing out pieces of paper".

The New Yorker

Pieces of paper with written authorisation were an Iraqi obsession.

The Guardian

'I have two pieces of paper," Krista announced.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We have gone through literally millions of pieces of paper.

The New York Times

The man pulled two pieces of paper from his pocket.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pieces of paper" when the number or size of the paper items is relevant to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "pieces of paper" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise terms like "documents", "records", or "materials" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pieces of paper" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to multiple, distinct sheets or fragments of paper. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase denotes tangible paper items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

33%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pieces of paper" is a grammatically correct and common noun phrase used to describe multiple sheets or fragments of paper. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal settings, opting for more precise terms like "documents" or "records" when appropriate. Alternatives such as "sheets of paper" or "scraps of paper" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the specific context. The prevalence of authoritative sources using this phrase underscores its acceptability and wide applicability in general English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheets of paper

Replaces "pieces" with "sheets", focusing on the form of individual paper units.

scraps of paper

Highlights the fragmented or discarded nature of the paper.

bits of paper

Emphasizes small, often insignificant amounts of paper.

slips of paper

Suggests small, often rectangular pieces of paper used for notes or records.

fragments of paper

Focuses on broken or incomplete parts of paper.

paper documents

Replaces "pieces of paper" with a more formal term, implying official or important written material.

paper records

Highlights the role of the paper as a form of documentation or evidence.

written notes

Focuses on the content written on the paper, rather than the physical paper itself.

paperwork

A collective term for documents and forms.

printed materials

Refers to paper items that have been printed on, such as leaflets or brochures.

FAQs

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

You can use "pieces of paper" to describe multiple individual sheets or fragments of paper, such as "She handed me several pieces of paper filled with notes from the meeting."

What can I say instead of "pieces of paper"?

You can use alternatives like "sheets of paper", "scraps of paper", or "paper documents" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "piece of paper" or "pieces of paper"?

"Piece of paper" refers to a single sheet, while "pieces of paper" refers to multiple sheets or fragments. The correct form depends on whether you're referring to one or more items.

What is the difference between "pieces of paper" and "paperwork"?

"Pieces of paper" refers to individual sheets or fragments, whereas "paperwork" is a collective term for documents, forms, and administrative papers.