sheet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheet" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used to refer to a piece of paper, a bed covering, or in various idiomatic expressions. Example: "Please hand me a sheet of paper to write down my notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Use the remainder of the first sheet of card for the nose and cheeks.

The Guardian

He's about to go down with the ship, don't tell him he has to keep reading the sheet music.

The Guardian - Opinion

The charge sheet against Serbia is getting absurdly long.

The Guardian - Sport

Banking analysts reckon that Standard Chartered needs to sort out its balance sheet, and could do so via a 30% cut in its dividend or a rights issue.

The Guardian - Business

The federal government is the top energy consumer in the country, with 360,000 buildings, 650,000 fleet vehicles, and $445bn spent annually on goods and services, according to a White House fact sheet.

The Guardian

No one has yet kept a clean sheet against them.

The Guardian - Sport

The 1-0 win and a fourth consecutive European clean sheet at home saw hopes very much alive when the team travelled to Catalonia.

The Guardian - Sport

Jenkins waived his bonus for 2013, when the bank raised £5.8bn in a cash call to bolster its balance sheet.

The Guardian - Business

Some scientists say the major west Antarctic ice sheet has already started a long term collapse that could change eventually change the world's coastline.

The Guardian

"They are always looking for indicators to evaluate the things that don't show up on the balance sheet".

The Guardian

This was the first time, however, that I'd heard someone say they wanted to copy Bilbao's building exactly, swooping metal sheet for swooping metal sheet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In culinary contexts, specify the type of "sheet", such as "baking sheet", to provide clarity and precision in cooking instructions.

Common error

Don't assume the context will always make the meaning of "sheet" clear. Be specific. Instead of just saying "the sheet", specify "bed sheet" or "spreadsheet" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "sheet" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a flat, thin piece of material, paper, or cloth. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, aligning with the range of definitions presented in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

15%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sheet" is a highly versatile term in English, commonly used across various contexts, as confirmed by the analysis and Ludwig's examples. It functions primarily as a noun, referring to anything from a piece of paper to a bed covering or a thin layer of material. Understanding the intended meaning of "sheet" is crucial, since its specific interpretation heavily depends on the context in which it's used, as also highlighted by Ludwig AI. From financial contexts (“balance sheet”) to everyday scenarios (bed "sheet"), being precise and clear enhances communication and avoids ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piece of paper

Focuses specifically on the material aspect, emphasizing a single unit for writing or printing.

layer

Highlights the concept of a covering or overlay, suitable when referring to thin coatings of material.

page

Implies a single side of a document or book, suitable when referring to written content.

balance sheet

Specifically refers to a financial statement showing a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

covering

Emphasizes the act of protection or concealment, particularly in contexts like bed linen.

fact sheet

Implies a document that summarizes key information or data, often used for informational purposes.

charge sheet

Specifically refers to a formal list of accusations in a legal or disciplinary context.

ice sheet

Refers to a large mass of glacial ice, relevant in geographical and climate-related discussions.

team sheet

Indicates a list of players selected for a sports team, particularly in sports-related contexts.

clean slate

An idiom referring to a fresh start, eliminating any prior record or issue.

FAQs

How can "sheet" be used in a sentence?

Depending on the context, "sheet" can refer to a piece of paper, a bed covering, or a thin layer of something. For example, "I need a "piece of paper" to write on", "The bed has a clean "bed covering"", or "A "thin layer of ice" covered the road".

What are some alternatives to the word "sheet" when referring to paper?

If you're referring to a piece of paper, you could use alternatives like "page", ""piece of paper"", or "document" depending on the context. Each carries slightly different connotations regarding the purpose and content of the paper.

What's the difference between a "sheet" and a "layer"?

While both "sheet" and "layer" imply a thin covering, "sheet" typically refers to a discrete item, often rectangular, like a "bedsheet" or ""piece of paper"". A "layer", however, suggests a covering as part of a whole, such as a "layer of paint".

When is it appropriate to use "balance sheet" instead of just "sheet"?

Use "balance sheet" specifically when referring to a financial statement that summarizes a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a particular point in time. It's crucial in business and financial discussions for clarity and precision.