a heap of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heap of items" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a large, disorganized pile of objects or things. Example: The garage sale was a mess, with a heap of items scattered all over the lawn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When he opened it he saw a partly covered body sticking out from a heap of items on the floor.

The New York Times

Hadley showed his friend the master bedroom, where there was "a partly covered body sticking out from a heap of items on the floor".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A heap of poetry.

The New York Times - Books

I sit on a heap of days.

The New Yorker

Berlin was a heap of rubble.

The New Yorker

"A heap of corpses piled up in front of me".

Independent

Or is it a heap of chaotic spaghetti?

The New York Times - Tech

The fruit store had become a heap of bricks.

The New York Times

A fortnight's percentage of in-app purchases of virtual items in games like Clash of Clans, Puzzle & Dragons and Kim Kardashian: Hollywood alone is going to yield a heap of most-definitely-not-virtual cash).

The Guardian - Tech

On a table is a heap of dusty crystal drops.

The Guardian - Arts

We are feeling pessimistic about ever finding these items as they have been gone much longer than usual and everything is pointing to them having been thrown out in a heap of papers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heap of items" when you want to convey a sense of disorganization and abundance, suggesting a haphazard arrangement rather than a carefully curated collection.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "a heap of items" in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider using more precise terms like "collection", "assortment", or "inventory" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heap of items" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a quantity of objects. The examples show it describing a scene or a room containing these objects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heap of items" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collection of objects, often implying disorganization. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While useful for descriptive purposes, writers should consider more precise alternatives in formal writing. The limited examples found by Ludwig suggest the expression is used more sparingly. Related phrases include "a pile of belongings" and "a mountain of stuff".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of belongings

Focuses on personal possessions rather than a general collection.

a mountain of stuff

Emphasizes the large quantity and somewhat disorganized nature.

a collection of objects

More neutral and less suggestive of disarray than the original phrase.

a mass of goods

Focuses on the commercial aspect, implying items for sale or trade.

an accumulation of things

More formal and highlights the gradual gathering of the items.

a jumble of articles

Highlights the disorganized and mixed nature of the items.

a cluster of products

Implies the items are manufactured or commercially available.

an assortment of objects

Highlights the variety and range of different items present.

a load of possessions

Focuses on the aspect of ownership of items.

a batch of things

Implies the items are processed or produced at the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "a heap of items" in a sentence?

You can use "a heap of items" to describe a collection of things that are piled together in a disorganized way. For example, "The attic contained "a heap of items", from old furniture to forgotten toys."

What can I say instead of "a heap of items"?

You can use alternatives like "a pile of belongings", "a mountain of stuff", or "a collection of objects" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a pile of items" or "a heap of items"?

Both "a pile of items" and "a heap of items" are acceptable, but "heap" often suggests a more disorganized and random arrangement compared to "pile", which can imply some level of stacking or order.

What's the difference between "a heap of items" and "a collection of items"?

"A heap of items" suggests a disorganized jumble, whereas "a collection of items" implies a deliberate gathering, often with a specific purpose or theme.