a backlog of emails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a backlog of emails" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection of emails that have not been addressed or responded to in a timely manner. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a backlog of emails waiting for my attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do you have a backlog of emails that are just waiting for your response?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Or with a backlog of e-mails.

The New Yorker

In July 2010, when Anna Blackburn started work for an Oxford GP, she found a backlog of hundreds of emails and test results.

The Guardian

And when you add a team member to an inbox, he or she will see all the backlog of emails, comments and more.

TechCrunch

It has a backlog of three thousand ideas.

The New Yorker

As a result, there is a backlog of reservations.

The New York Times

A backlog of 12.3 million idle workers remains.

The New York Times

A backlog of unmarried men starts to pile up.

The Economist

A backlog of more than 53,000 applications remains.

The Economist

Did you clear a backlog of customer orders?

The New York Times

Its past repressions leave a backlog of grievance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize your email responses by urgency and importance to effectively manage "a backlog of emails". Use filters or labels to categorize emails and tackle the most critical ones first.

Common error

Don't attempt to respond to emails in chronological order without assessing their importance. This can lead to critical deadlines being missed as you get bogged down in less urgent correspondence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a backlog of emails" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a quantity of emails that have accumulated and have not been dealt with in a timely manner. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing situations where there is a large volume of unaddressed emails.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a backlog of emails" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that refers to an accumulation of unaddressed emails. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and professional settings. It's crucial to manage such backlogs efficiently by prioritizing emails and using organizational tools. Alternatives include "an email logjam" or "a pile of unread emails", depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid common errors such as failing to prioritize emails, which can lead to missed deadlines and inefficiencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an email logjam

Replaces "backlog" with "logjam", suggesting a blockage or standstill in email processing.

a pile of unread emails

Uses a more informal term "pile" instead of backlog and specifies the emails are unread.

a queue of emails awaiting response

Emphasizes the waiting aspect, using "queue" to represent the order of emails.

a buildup of emails needing attention

Highlights the increasing amount of emails requiring action.

an accumulation of unanswered emails

Focuses on the lack of response, using "accumulation" to indicate a growing number.

a surplus of emails to process

Highlights that there are too many emails, using "surplus" to express an excess.

an overflow of emails requiring action

Emphasizes that there are more emails than can be managed, causing an overflow.

a glut of emails demanding replies

Uses "glut" to express a large and excessive amount of emails.

a stack of pending emails

Uses "stack" to emphasize a physical representation of the emails, and "pending" to highlight their waiting status.

a mass of unaddressed emails

Emphasizes a large quantity of emails that have not been dealt with, using "mass" to illustrate the size of the accumulation.

FAQs

How can I efficiently manage "a backlog of emails"?

Start by prioritizing emails based on sender, subject, and keywords. Focus on urgent matters first, and consider delegating or archiving less important messages. Tools like filters and labels can also help organize and tackle the "pile of unread emails" more effectively.

What are some strategies to prevent "a backlog of emails" from forming?

Set aside specific times each day to check and respond to emails. Use automatic filters to sort incoming messages, and unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters or mailing lists. Responding promptly can prevent a "queue of emails awaiting response" from building up.

Is it better to delete or archive emails when dealing with "a backlog of emails"?

Archiving is generally preferable as it preserves the information without cluttering your inbox. Delete only those emails that are clearly irrelevant or spam. Archiving helps maintain a record of past communications, while reducing the visible "accumulation of unanswered emails".

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

You could use phrases like "an "email logjam"", "a "pile of unread emails"", or "an "accumulation of unanswered emails"", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.