ton of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

"ton of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression for a large amount of paper, usually referring to 500 sheets or more. For example: "We need about a ton of paper for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Gregory's bedroom is filled with paper; it contains at least a ton of paper.

The New Yorker

I have a ton of paper, it's organized, but it's there".

The New York Times

It saves a ton of paper and serves manuscripts and musical scores especially well.

The New York Times

An average day's take is a ton of paper and several hundred pounds of rags and iron: in money about $25.

The New Yorker

The city receives only $5 to $10 per ton of paper, and it must pay recycling companies $45 per ton to accept metal, glass and plastics.

The New York Times

It takes China 37percentt more energy to make a ton of paper than it takes the United States, the study reported.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I think there's going to be a ton of papers that come out of this, but it's going to take a couple of years".

The New York Times - Science

"I think there's going to be a ton of papers that come out of this, but it's going to take a couple of years," he said.

The New York Times

Even if you don't have a ton of papers to file, you can use them as dressers for clothes or for knick-nacks.

WikiHow

Tons of paper.

The New York Times

So I committed to selling at least 200,000 tons of paper a year for the mill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ton of paper", consider the context. While acceptable in most informal and news settings, more formal contexts might benefit from a more precise descriptor like "significant amount of paper".

Common error

Avoid taking "ton" in "ton of paper" too literally. It's an idiomatic expression for a large quantity, not necessarily its literal weight. Using the phrase to suggest an exact weight measurement can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ton of paper" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing amounts of waste, production, or materials. The phrase is widely understood to indicate a substantial, though imprecise, quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ton of paper" is a common and widely accepted phrase used to indicate a large quantity of paper. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for general use. While not strictly formal, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When precision is paramount, consider using alternatives like "significant amount of paper". Be mindful that the "ton" is idiomatic, not literal, and avoid using it to suggest an exact weight. The phrase effectively communicates scale and abundance in various communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant amount of paper

Replaces the idiomatic "ton" with a more formal "significant amount", suitable for professional contexts.

large quantity of paper

Substitutes "ton" with "large quantity", providing a more precise and less figurative description.

substantial volume of paper

Replaces "ton" with "substantial volume", adding a sense of size and scale.

considerable stack of paper

Focuses on the physical arrangement of the paper, using "stack" instead of a general quantity.

huge pile of paper

Emphasizes the untidiness or disorganization of the paper, implying a messy accumulation.

mountain of paperwork

Uses a metaphor to describe an overwhelming amount of official documents or forms.

massive collection of documents

Highlights the variety and organized nature of the paper, rather than its sheer volume.

copious reams of paper

Uses "reams" to specify the unit of paper, adding a sense of precision and formality.

vast accumulation of paper

Emphasizes the gradual gathering and increase of the paper over time.

extensive supply of paper

Highlights the availability and readiness of the paper for use, rather than its quantity.

FAQs

What does "ton of paper" mean?

The phrase "ton of paper" is an idiomatic expression that means a large quantity of paper. It's not meant to be taken literally as a weight measurement.

Is it appropriate to use "ton of paper" in formal writing?

While acceptable in many contexts, including news and media, more formal writing might benefit from using more precise terms like /s/significant+amount+of+paper "significant amount of paper" or /s/large+quantity+of+paper "large quantity of paper".

What are some alternatives to "ton of paper"?

Alternatives include /s/large+quantity+of+paper "large quantity of paper", /s/substantial+volume+of+paper "substantial volume of paper", or /s/copious+reams+of+paper "copious reams of paper" depending on the specific context.

How many trees are used to produce a "ton of paper"?

According to some sources, approximately 17 trees are cut down to produce one "ton of paper". This highlights the environmental impact of paper consumption.