Words / A2

PAYP-uh-wurk/ˈpeɪpəwɜːk/

Paperwork is official forms and documents: visa paperwork, finish the paperwork, a pile of paperwork. Uncountable in this general sense. Form is one document; paperwork is the lot. Homework is school work. Paper is the material or a newspaper. Do not write paperwork when you mean newspaper, or password.

Meaning

Forms and official documents you must fill in or keep.

Examples

• “I spent the morning on visa paperwork.”
• “The embassy asked for extra paperwork.”
• “I hate paperwork, but the insurance needs it.”

Good to know

visa / insurance paperwork (uncountable). One item: a form. Mix-up: homework, newspaper.

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