a backlog of applications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a backlog of applications" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where there are many applications that have not yet been processed or addressed. Example: "Due to the high volume of submissions, we currently have a backlog of applications that we are working to review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Citizenship can take as long as 10 years because of a backlog of applications.

The New York Times

And with a backlog of applications, it can take months for the department to consider a submission.

The New York Times

The Passport Office has been struggling through the summer to get on top of a backlog of applications.

The Guardian

The Home Office said a backlog of applications had been reduced from 100,000 to 66,000.

The New York Times

Airbnb says its understanding is that there is a backlog of applications, which explains the delay in this case.

The Guardian - Tech

Tower Hamlets blamed the out-of-date valuations on "a backlog of applications due to resourcing issues" which it said had now been cleared.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

There is a backlog of 150,000 applications, most without merit.

The Guardian - Opinion

By January this year, there was a backlog of 65,000 applications.

The Economist

While 640,000 people became naturalized citizens last year, the bureau has a backlog of 345,000 applications that have been awaiting processing for more than six months.

The New York Times

Latino groups hope to summon the clout of the federal courts to compel the Bush administration to reduce a backlog of citizenship applications that swelled last year.

The New York Times

The bill addresses this problem by temporarily raising limits to clear a backlog of 234,000 applications for employment-based permanent visas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "backlog of applications", quantify it with specific numbers or estimates to emphasize the scale and impact of the issue. For example, "The department faces a backlog of over 5,000 applications, leading to significant delays."

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of "applications" are backlogged. Without specification, readers may misunderstand the nature of the problem. For instance, clarify if it's about "job applications", "loan applications", or "permit applications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a backlog of applications" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific situation involving an accumulation of unprocessed requests, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a backlog of applications" is a common noun phrase used to describe an accumulation of unprocessed requests. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and business contexts. To use the phrase effectively, quantify the backlog when possible and specify the type of applications involved. While alternatives exist, such as "an accumulation of requests" or "a surplus of submissions", "a backlog of applications" remains a clear and widely understood way to convey the issue of delayed processing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an accumulation of requests

Replaces "applications" with "requests", suggesting a broader range of submissions.

a surplus of submissions

Uses "surplus" to emphasize the excess in relation to what can be handled.

an overabundance of forms

Replaces "applications" with "forms", highlighting the physical documents themselves.

a logjam of paperwork

Emphasizes the obstruction caused by unprocessed documents.

a pile-up of dossiers

Uses "dossiers" to imply a more formal or detailed set of documents.

a bottleneck in processing applications

Focuses on the processing phase and the constraint it faces.

outstanding applications

Highlights that applications are pending and not yet resolved.

an inventory of unprocessed claims

Replaces "applications" with "claims", suggesting a need for verification or settlement.

an outstanding volume of requests

Emphasizes the scale of the unprocessed items.

a reservoir of incoming requests

Uses a water analogy to indicate accumulating requests.

FAQs

How can I use "a backlog of applications" in a sentence?

You can use "a backlog of applications" to describe a situation where an organization has more applications than it can process in a timely manner. For example: "The department is working hard to reduce "a backlog of applications"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a backlog of applications"?

Alternatives include "an accumulation of requests", "a surplus of submissions", or "an overabundance of forms", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "backlog in applications" or "a backlog of applications"?

"A backlog of applications" is more common and natural-sounding. "Backlog in applications" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What causes "a backlog of applications"?

"A backlog of applications" can result from various factors, including increased demand, staffing shortages, inefficient processes, or unexpected events that disrupt normal operations.