printouts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "printouts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to physical copies of documents or data that have been printed from a computer or other device. Example: "Please make sure to bring all the necessary printouts to the meeting for reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just finding them can take armies of analysts equipped with marker pens and printouts weeks on end.

The Economist

But printouts of digital material are a second-best solution.

The Economist

This signal, which looked exactly like the sort of thing astronomers had theorised aliens might use to get in touch was spotted in telescope printouts in 1977.

The Economist

His installation is filled with broken glass, silver foil, cardboard, Q-tips, plastic chairs, old mobile phones and colour printouts of low-resolution war photos, all held together by brown duct tape, a recognisable Hirschhorn motif.

The Economist

It is covered with printouts and newspaper clippings on clones, and especially the one sort of clone whose existence does not make anyone cringe: monozygotic, or identical, twins.

The Economist

ARMED with a stack of house-listing printouts from Craigslist.com, a popular website, Paul Rademacher was driving around Silicon Valley late last year looking for a place to live.

The Economist

It was once thought that people preferred printouts to scrolling screens because they could read text on paper faster—up to 30% faster, by most accounts.

The Economist

A squad of Democrats showed up at Mr Goodlatte's town-hall meeting, armed with printouts of awkward questions.

The Economist

Pinned to the walls are magazine cuttings and computer printouts of people in what she calls "preposterous" positions: society ladies in ball gowns making breakfast, actresses who are completely naked except for a designer handbag and costume jewellery.

The Economist

Whether a field is occupied by sheep or a computer factory depends on the intricate working out of millions of individual preferences between roast lamb and printouts.

The Economist

In the United States, for example, the courts held that e-mail records of the White House during the Ronald Reagan administration should not be destroyed, because paper printouts are not acceptable substitutes for the electronic records.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to physical copies of digital files, use "printouts" to clearly indicate that the information was originally digital and then printed. This is especially useful in contexts where the distinction between digital and physical records is important.

Common error

Avoid using "printouts" when simply referring to general documents. While technically correct, it can sound redundant. Instead, use "documents" or "papers" unless the act of printing is specifically relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "printouts" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple physical copies of documents or data that have been printed from a digital source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "printouts" functions as a plural noun denoting physical copies of digital documents. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While perfectly acceptable, avoid redundancy by using simpler terms like "documents" when the act of printing isn't specifically relevant. The phrase carries a neutral register and is widely understood, making it a versatile choice for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paper printouts

Explicitly states that "printouts" are on paper.

hard copies

Refers specifically to physical copies of digital documents.

paper copies

Emphasizes the material of the printed documents.

printed documents

A more formal and explicit way to describe "printouts".

hard copy versions

Highlights that these are physical versions of something originally digital.

printed reports

More specific, implying the "printouts" are structured reports.

paper records

Suggests that these "printouts" serve as official records.

physical copies

Similar to "hard copies" but can apply to more than just digital documents.

printed materials

A broader term including various types of printed items.

output documents

Focuses on the "printouts" as the final output of a process.

FAQs

How to use "printouts" in a sentence?

You can use "printouts" to refer to physical copies of digital documents, such as "Please bring the "printouts" to the meeting" or "The report was distributed as "printouts".

What can I say instead of "printouts"?

You can use alternatives like "hard copies", "paper copies", or "printed documents" depending on the context.

Is "printouts" formal or informal?

"Printouts" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "printed documents" may be preferred in professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "printouts" and "documents"?

"Printouts" specifically refers to printed copies of digital files, while "documents" is a broader term that can include both physical and digital files. Use "printouts" when the act of printing is relevant.