2025-01-21 Verbs to use with ‘paper’ – English In A Minute

Introduction

‘Paper’ has different meanings. In this video we’re looking at ‘paper’ to mean pieces of academic writing. There are some words that we often use together with ‘paper’. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun ‘paper’ with Phil in this video.

Common collocations with ‘paper’

write a paper
If you write a paper, you produce a piece of academic text, as part of a course, or to explain your ideas or research.

• I’ve got to write a paper on legal developments for next week’s class. I’m hoping to get a good grade for it.

prepare a paper
Preparing a paper means to get it ready, usually by writing it.

• I spent all of yesterday preparing the paper that the professor asked for.

draft a paper
Drafting a paper, means to write a first version, which you will edit afterwards.

• I’ve drafted a paper, but it needs a lot of improvement!

present a paper
When you present a paper, you explain what it says to an audience.

• Today, I’m going to present my paper on research into Latin grammar.

deliver a paper
Delivering a paper is similar to presenting a paper. It means to explain it to an audience often at an event like an academic conference.

• I delivered this paper to the national conference last spring. The audience had lots of questions about it.

put a paper forward
If put a paper forward for an event like a conference, then you apply to present it there. If you put it forward to a publication, like a journal, then you apply to have it published in the journal.

• I’m really impressed with this. You really should put this paper forward for my seminar.

publish a paper
If you publish a paper, then you make it available, either in print or electronically.

• I have published papers in all the major journals in this field. You’ve probably read my work.

release a paper
‘Release a paper’ has a similar meaning to ‘publish a paper’. It means make it available to the public.

• We’re releasing a paper with our findings next month.

issue a paper
‘Issue a paper’ also has a similar meaning to ‘publish a paper’, it also means make it available to the public.

• The finance ministry issued a paper explaining the challenges faced by the economy.

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Phil
Students write papers – but what other verbs can we use?
When you’re preparing a paper, you start by drafting it.

I’ve drafted a paper, but I don’t like it yet.
I’m preparing a paper for the next class.

If it’s good, you might deliver it, or present it at a conference. If you want to do that, then you have to put it forward first.

I’ve put forward a paper for a conference next year. Hopefully I’ll be able to present it.
He delivered the paper to some of the most important experts.

If you want other people to read it then you need to publish your paper. Releasing a paper or issuing a paper means the same thing.

The university published a paper on sustainability.
The research team issued a paper with their findings. They released it in an important journal.

Whether you’re drafting, putting forward, presenting or publishing a paper, our videos should give you the English you need.