A stack of tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A stack of tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a collection or accumulation of tasks that need to be completed, often implying that there are many tasks to handle. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a stack of tasks waiting for me on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Lock a fellow in a windowless room to perform rote tasks just tricky enough to make him have to think, but still rote, tasks involving numbers that connect to nothing he'll ever see or care about, a stack of tasks that never goes down, and nail a clock to the wall where he can see it, and just leave the man there to his mind's own devices.

The New Yorker

Lock a fellow in a windowless room to perform rote tasks just tricky enough to make him have to think, but still rote, tasks involving numbers that connected to nothing he'd ever see or care about, a stack of tasks that never went down, and nail a clock to the wall where he can see it, and just leave the man there to his mind's own devices".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Underkoffler, now chief executive, chief scientist and founder of Oblong Industries, says there have been two problems: getting the technology right, and getting that integrated into the "full stack" of tasks that we want to do.

The Guardian - Tech

After four hours, he left the studio with a stack of handwritten notes and a promise to bring regional leaders to task over the issues that had been raised.

The Guardian

Mickens was juggling a variety of tasks at his desk, the phone cradled to his ear as he pointed to a stack of résumés.

The New York Times - Sports

She is often given the task of driving the pickup trucks that ferry church members, a stack of pillows propping her view over the dashboard.

The New York Times

Our task was to grade each carbon dust sample by shaking it through a stack of brass filters, to calibrate its fineness.

The Guardian

For a stage actor, it must be quite a task to act while doing nothing more than sitting on a barstool and reading from a stack of papers.

Los Angeles Times

–A stack of blank CDs ($11).

The New Yorker

Inside is a stack of papers.

The New Yorker

Ah yes, a stack of lonely nights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stack of tasks", consider the connotation of 'stack' - it suggests a collection that may be overwhelming or disorganized. Choose this phrase when you want to convey that sense.

Common error

While understandable, overusing "a stack of tasks" in business writing could make your writing seem less professional. If the context is business-related, make sure that "a series of tasks" is not a better fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of tasks" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing work responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of tasks" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a collection of work responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's relatively rare. The phrase appears mainly in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts, with neutral formality. While acceptable in most situations, consider alternatives like "a series of tasks" for more professional tones. Be mindful of the connotation, as it can imply an overwhelming workload.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A pile of tasks

Uses 'pile' instead of 'stack', suggesting a less organized collection.

A backlog of tasks

Implies tasks that are accumulating and waiting to be done.

A list of tasks

Focuses on the enumerated nature of the tasks, rather than the volume.

An array of tasks

Suggests a structured or organized set of tasks.

A series of tasks

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the tasks.

A set of tasks

A more general term for a collection of tasks.

A batch of tasks

Implies a group of tasks processed together.

A group of tasks

A simple and direct way to refer to multiple tasks.

A workload of tasks

Focuses on the amount of work involved.

A mountain of tasks

Uses 'mountain' to emphasize the large quantity of tasks, implying overwhelm.

FAQs

How can I use "a stack of tasks" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of tasks" to describe a collection of duties or assignments. For example: "After the meeting, I returned to my desk to face "a stack of tasks"."

What's the difference between "a stack of tasks" and "a pile of tasks"?

While both describe a collection of tasks, "a stack of tasks" implies a more orderly, though potentially overwhelming, arrangement, while "a pile of tasks" suggests a less organized accumulation.

What are some alternatives to "a stack of tasks"?

Alternatives include "a series of tasks", "a backlog of tasks", or "a list of tasks", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a stack of tasks" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a stack of tasks" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider the connotation. For a more formal tone, alternatives like "a series of tasks" might be more suitable.