sheets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheets" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to flat pieces of material, typically paper or fabric, or in contexts related to bedding or printing. Example: "I need to buy some new sheets for my bed before the guests arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Travel

Opinion

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sleep came easily that night in our comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, two to an en-suite tent, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.

The Guardian - Travel

During evidence on the behaviour of nuns from the Sisters of Nazareth order at two Catholic church-run children's homes in Derry, the inquiry heard that children were beaten for bedwetting and had soiled sheets placed on their heads to humiliate them.

The Guardian

He said the "worst case scenario" for 2100 was that ice sheets would contribute an additional 70cm to the sea level rise caused by the warming of the ocean.

The Guardian

Their awkwardness at black people protesting the death of Eric Garner at the hands of the police, meanwhile, is clear evidence of the racism that keeps pictures like Selma off ballot sheets.

The Guardian - Film

The other task sheets demand glowing reviews of the YotaPhone, a Russian-made smartphone, abuse and teasing for Jennifer Psaki, the former US state department spokeswoman, and three relate to Ukraine and the west's plans there.

The Guardian

In turn, this helps scientists to estimate the contribution of melting ice sheets to rising sea levels.

The Guardian

This highlights the flaws in the Treasury argument that the GIB shouldn't be able to borrow yet because the 'debt' would show up on government balance sheets.

The Guardian

On my wedding night a dozen years ago, my bride gazed up at me from the nuptial sheets and beamed "is this the happiest day of your life?".

The Guardian - Sport

When the time came for him and his companion to leave Kazakhstan, "immigration officers found that our migration cards, tiny sheets of paper we received at the Russian-Kazakh border, were not valid," he told EurasiaNet.org.org

The Guardian

Having cleaned out their balance sheets, the government could then put them up for sale, or even distribute shares to all taxpayers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Juventus's run of clean sheets against Torino was also preserved.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify the type of "sheets" you're referring to (e.g., bed sheets, ice sheets, task sheets) especially in technical contexts.

Common error

Ensure you use the plural form "sheets" when referring to multiple pieces of paper or fabric. The singular form "sheet" refers to just one item.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sheets" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple flat pieces of material like paper or fabric, or it can denote bed coverings, as seen in Ludwig's examples about Egyptian cotton "sheets" and nuptial "sheets". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Opinion

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheets" functions primarily as a plural noun with diverse applications, from describing bed "sheets" to financial "sheets" and geological ice "sheets". Its usage is very common across various registers, with a strong presence in news and media, sport, and lifestyle content. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. To ensure clarity, specify the type of "sheets" you’re referring to, especially in technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bed linens

Focuses specifically on linens used for bedding.

fabric pieces

Focuses on sheets of material, especially fabric.

balance statements

Refers to financial reports, a specific type of document.

ice floes

Specifically refers to large pieces of floating ice.

task lists

Emphasizes the function of a sheet as a list of tasks.

ballot papers

Focuses on sheets specifically used for voting.

answer keys

Highlights sheets containing solutions to problems or questions.

payslips

Refers to the sheet detailing an employee's earnings and deductions.

paperwork

General term for documents or forms.

maps

Sheets representing geographical area.

FAQs

How do I use "sheets" in a sentence about bedding?

You can say, "I need to change the "bed linens"" or "These Egyptian cotton "bed sheets" are very comfortable."

What's the difference between "sheets" and "linens" when talking about bedding?

"Sheets" specifically refers to the fabric coverings on a bed. "Linens" is a broader term that includes "bed linens", towels and other fabric items used in a home.

When should I use "balance sheets" instead of just "sheets"?

Use "balance sheets" when you're specifically discussing financial statements that summarize a company's assets, liabilities and equity at a specific point in time. Otherwise, "sheets" is too vague in a financial context.

What are some alternatives to "sheets" when referring to paper?

Depending on the context, you could use "documents", "papers", "forms" or "handouts". For example, "The students received several handouts with information about the project."