English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
PAPERS, NOT PAPER
He was surprised when he was served with the ~divorce paper~ (nonstandard).
He was surprised when he was served with the *divorce papers* (standard).
You don’t have to worry if you have your ~paper~ (nonstandard).
You don’t have to worry if you have your *papers* (standard).
Your papers are official documents, for example your passport or identity card, which prove who you are or which give you official permission to do something.
You need a ~working paper~ to get a job if you’re less than 18 (nonstandard).
You need *working papers* to get a job if you’re less than 18 (standard).
I haven’t seen the ~call for paper~ for the conference (nonstandard).
I haven’t seen the *call for papers* for the conference (standard).
GAB
