tons of paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tons of paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of paper, often in a figurative sense to emphasize the amount. Example: "After the meeting, I had to sort through tons of paper to find the important documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tons of paper.

The New York Times

Currently, USA Waste recycles up to 800 tons of paper a day on the property.

The New York Times

But in recent months, Harvey said he had 6,000 tons of paper alone.

The Washington Post

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

The New York Times

Last month, a Slovakian truck driver arrived in Dover, bound for Wales with 22 tons of paper.

The New York Times

In 1993, more than 35 million tons of paper was recovered and 38 million went into landfills.

The New York Times

It had been disbanded in 1972, but the tons of paper it had generated could not be destroyed.

The Guardian - Books

The unit's 322 employees produce 220,000 metric tons of paper a year at a mill in Merebank, near Durban.

The New York Times

Tons of paper are piling up recycling businesses around the port, the detritus of economies on hold.

The New York Times

Automation was adopted to sort, bale and send to manufacturers all those tons of paper, bottles and cans.

The Washington Post

They said receipts would lead to jammed printers, confused voters and the burden of handling tons of paper.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tons of paper", consider your audience and the context. While widely accepted, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing. For precision, consider using a specific measurement like "reams" or "kilograms".

Common error

Avoid using "tons of paper" in highly formal or scientific writing where precise quantities are expected. Opt for more specific measurements or descriptive language to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons of paper" functions as a quantifier, modifying an uncountable noun ("paper"). It indicates a large quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tons of paper" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a large quantity of paper. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but its usage extends to encyclopedias and general writing. While generally acceptable, it should be used cautiously in formal or scientific contexts where precise measurements are preferred. Alternative phrases like "lots of paper" or "a great deal of paper" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lots of paper

Replaces "tons" with "lots", indicating a large but less precisely quantified amount of paper.

a great deal of paper

Uses a more formal expression to convey a substantial quantity of paper.

a mountain of paper

Employs a metaphorical image to emphasize the overwhelming quantity of paper.

a huge amount of paper

Substitutes "tons" with "a huge amount", maintaining the sense of a large quantity.

stacks of paper

Focuses on the physical arrangement of paper in stacks, highlighting its abundance.

piles of paper

Similar to "stacks of paper", but emphasizes the disorganized nature of the large quantity.

reams of paper

Uses a specific unit of paper measurement to indicate a large supply.

an abundance of paper

A more formal way of expressing a large and plentiful supply of paper.

large quantities of paper

A more technical or precise way of describing a significant amount of paper.

a vast quantity of paper

Emphasizes the immensity of the paper amount using "vast".

FAQs

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

You can use "tons of paper" to describe a large amount of paper. For example, "The office was filled with tons of paper after the project deadline."

What's a less informal way to say "tons of paper"?

You can use alternatives like "a great deal of paper" or "large quantities of paper" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "tonnes of paper" instead of "tons of paper"?

Yes, "tonnes of paper" is a correct alternative, particularly in Commonwealth countries where "tonne" is the standard metric unit for ton. It carries the same meaning as "tons of paper".

What is the difference between "a lot of paper" and "tons of paper"?

"A lot of paper" is a more general and less emphatic way to express a large quantity, while "tons of paper" suggests a significantly larger and potentially overwhelming amount.