stack of paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

"stack of paperwork" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a large amount of paperwork, for example: "I could barely see my desk under the stack of paperwork I needed to review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It took and still takes a stack of paperwork and legislation to guarantee -- and enforce -- their presence.

The New York Times

"Let's make it fast and painless," he tells them, pulling a stack of paperwork from a manila folder.

The Washington Post

To make the preliminary trials permanent, borrowers must complete a big stack of paperwork and show they can make their payments on time.

The New York Times

Instead, Kathy took the stack of paperwork to her son's local family practitioner, Dr. David L. Werwath, only to burst out crying in his office when he demurred.

The New York Times - Health

A few days before kindergarten began, parents were summoned to the school to fill out a stack of paperwork roughly the size of a mortgage application.

The New Yorker

On the table lay a stack of paperwork for the project and a rendering of the new firehouse, a two-story red building with four garage doors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This will result in miscarriages of justice because vital evidence, often hidden within stacks of paperwork, will be missed.

The Guardian

Getting rid of stacks of paperwork may sound ideal in theory, but entrepreneurs would be right in thinking there are some documents that should be kept.

The Guardian

His company also helps manage overseas credit risk and makes sure that the stacks of paperwork involved are completed on time.

The New York Times

How good is your company at taking a pile of raw materials, a bunch of machines, stacks of paperwork, and groups of employees, and turning out useful goods or services?

Harvard Business Review

For these parents, who are required to fill out forms in person at each school they want their young children to be considered for, the kindergarten application period each winter means long lines and stacks of paperwork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "accumulation of documents" or "extensive documentation" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "stack of paperwork" to describe digital documents or electronic files. The phrase implies physical, paper-based documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stack of paperwork" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is often used to describe a tangible accumulation of documents. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stack of paperwork" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a large quantity of physical documents. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. Ludwig examples show it frequently appears in news and media, but also in science and research contexts. While alternatives like ""pile of documents"" or ""mountain of forms"" exist, "stack of paperwork" effectively conveys the image of numerous documents, often implying a sense of administrative burden. It is best to avoid this phrase when referring to digital documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of documents

Replaces "paperwork" with a more general term, while "pile" is similar to "stack".

mountain of forms

Uses a different metaphor to emphasize the large quantity of paperwork.

backlog of documents

Focuses on the accumulation and waiting nature of the paperwork.

accumulation of forms

Highlights the gathering nature of the paperwork.

large quantity of documents

A more formal way of expressing a lot of paperwork.

extensive paperwork

Adjective describing the paperwork.

paperwork overload

Highlights that there is excessive paperwork.

documentation burden

Emphasizes the weight and difficulty of handling the paperwork.

extensive documentation

Adjective describing the documentation.

sea of paperwork

Uses a different metaphor to emphasize the large quantity of paperwork.

FAQs

How can I use "stack of paperwork" in a sentence?

You can use "stack of paperwork" to describe a large quantity of documents that need to be processed. For example, "I spent the entire afternoon sorting through a "stack of paperwork"."

What are some alternatives to "stack of paperwork"?

Some alternatives include "pile of documents", "mountain of forms", or "backlog of documents".

Is it appropriate to use "stack of paperwork" in formal writing?

While acceptable, in formal writing, consider alternatives like "accumulation of documents" or "extensive documentation" for a more professional tone.

Can "stack of paperwork" refer to digital documents?

No, the phrase "stack of paperwork" typically implies physical, paper-based documents. For digital files, consider using terms like "digital archive" or "electronic records".