reams of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reams of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large quantity of paper, often in the context of printing, writing, or documentation. Example: "After the meeting, we ended up printing reams of paper filled with reports and presentations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reams of paper dwindled into a Kindle.

The New York Times - Books

I completed four applications for each of the three of us, using reams of paper.

The New York Times

She could spend an hour with reams of paper and a pen.

The New York Times

The request included vehicle registrations, insurance documents and time sheets — reams of paper in all.

The New York Times

"Reams and reams and reams of paper and recommendations can work against you," he says.

The New York Times

"You got reams of paper that you had to go through," Mr. Vaules said.

The New York Times - Tech

The modern Slater factory is cluttered with packing boxes and reams of paper.

The New York Times

Instead, she said, she would want reams of paper and some pencils.

The New York Times - Books

Mill owners would bring in laborers, with wives and children in tow, to pulp rags into reams of paper.

The New York Times - Arts

Pilots could replace reams of paper operating manuals, checklists and charts with digital versions loaded onto a tablet computer.

The New York Times - Tech

She Googles frantically and prints out reams of paper on all the topics she is trying not to forget.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the environmental impact of paper use, use "reams of paper" to emphasize the large quantities involved.

Common error

Avoid the common typo of writing "dreams of paper" instead of "reams of paper". "Reams" refers to the quantity of paper, while "dreams" relates to aspirations or fantasies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reams of paper" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It denotes a substantial amount of paper, often implying excessive use or documentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reams of paper" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a large quantity of paper. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent occurrence across varied contexts, especially in news and media. While "reams of paper" is generally neutral, it can often imply a sense of excess or inefficiency. When using the phrase, be mindful of the environmental impact or potential for over-documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stacks of paper

Focuses on the physical accumulation of paper, emphasizing the piled-up nature.

piles of paper

Similar to "stacks of paper", highlighting the unstructured accumulation.

large quantities of paper

A more formal and general way to describe a significant amount of paper.

vast amounts of paper

Emphasizes the immensity of the paper quantity.

mountains of paper

Uses a metaphor to convey a very large and overwhelming quantity of paper.

tons of paper

Informal expression indicating substantial paper quantity.

extensive documentation

Shifts focus from physical paper to the content written on it.

numerous documents

Refers specifically to written pieces, not necessarily just paper.

voluminous records

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature and bulk of the records, which may be on paper.

a wealth of paperwork

Focuses on administrative tasks and documentation processes.

FAQs

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

You can use "reams of paper" to describe a large quantity of paper, for example, "The project generated "reams of paper" due to the extensive documentation required."

What's the difference between "stacks of paper" and "reams of paper"?

"Reams of paper" specifically refers to a standardized quantity of paper (typically 500 sheets), while "stacks of paper" is a more general term for a pile of paper, without a specific quantity implied.

Is it correct to use "reams and reams of paper"?

Yes, using "reams and reams of paper" emphasizes an even larger quantity of paper. It is often used for dramatic effect or to stress the excessiveness of the paper usage.

What can I say instead of "reams of paper" to emphasize the environmental impact?

You could say "large quantities of paper" or "vast amounts of paper" to highlight the wastefulness and resource consumption associated with excessive paper use.