pen and paper

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The basic writing tools, a pen and sheets of paper, used for writing or drawing by hand.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' as a pair: bring pen and paper, but also 'a pen and some paper'.

   Patterns

   • bring pen and paper
   • with pen and paper

   Bring pen and paper to the meeting in case the laptops fail.

   She worked out the sum with pen and paper.

   I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down his phone number.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Done by hand on paper instead of on a computer or other device.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, often with hyphens: a pen-and-paper test.

   Patterns

   • a pen-and-paper something

   The exam was a traditional pen-and-paper test.

   Some designers still start with a pen-and-paper sketch.

   The game can be played as a pen-and-paper puzzle on a bus.

Common combinations

with pen and paper

She calculated the costs with pen and paper.

pen-and-paper test

The school still uses a pen-and-paper test.

pen-and-paper game

Dungeons and Dragons is a famous pen-and-paper game.

pen-and-paper method

He prefers the pen-and-paper method for planning.

armed with pen and paper

The reporter arrived armed with pen and paper.

Synonyms and how they differ

writing materials

A broader and more formal phrase that can include pencils, ink and notebooks, not just a pen and paper.

stationery

Refers to the wider range of office supplies and sold items, not simply the tools for writing.

analog

As an adjective, it contrasts with digital in general, while 'pen-and-paper' describes writing by hand specifically.

Opposites

Word family

pen noun

a tool for writing with ink

paper noun

thin material for writing on

penmanship noun

the skill or style of handwriting

notepad noun

a pad of paper for notes

Commonly confused: pen and paper or paper and pen?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pen and paper”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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