a heap of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heap of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of work that needs to be done, often implying that it is overwhelming or burdensome. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a heap of work waiting for me on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They did a heap of work on those boats," the officer said.

The Guardian

A heap of work awaited him.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the shopping district, groups of mostly young people held up a bloodstained T-shirt and threw baby diapers into a heap of trash to protest working conditions in developing countries.

The New York Times

But just days before the film opened, Shirley Povich, a Washington Post columnist, called reports that O'Doul had succeeded in his work "a heap of hokum".

The New York Times - Sports

True, the title of the work was not "A Heap of Candies".

The New York Times - Arts

– and Coogan decides to get worked up over a heap of refried beans.

Independent

It looked like the work of a miniaturist beaver: a heap of objects that was illegible yet clearly not random.

The New Yorker

His homestead is now a heap of rubble and ashes after the thugs had completed their work.

Huffington Post

You can find me working at an animal shelter under a heap of puppies.

Huffington Post

Now, I've gotten a heap of troubling input from the Research Council of Norway and some Norwegian climate scientists involved with the work.

The New York Times

I sit on a heap of days.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heap of work" when you want to emphasize the large, potentially overwhelming quantity of tasks, but be mindful that it can sound less formal than "a large amount of work".

Common error

Avoid using "a heap of work" in formal reports or business correspondence. Opt for more professional alternatives like "a significant workload" or "a substantial amount of work" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heap of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a large quantity or accumulation of tasks or duties to be performed. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a heap of work" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression that describes a large quantity of tasks or duties. While considered slightly informal, it effectively conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by a significant workload. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For formal contexts, alternatives like "a significant workload" or "a substantial amount of work" may be more appropriate. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, with occasional usage in scientific and business writing. When using this expression, consider your audience and the desired level of formality to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A large amount of work

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the quantity of work.

A mountain of work

This alternative uses a different metaphor to convey the overwhelming nature of the work.

A great deal of work

This alternative is more formal and highlights the extent of the work.

A substantial amount of work

This alternative emphasizes the considerable size or importance of the work.

Tons of work

This alternative is less formal and uses a more exaggerated term to indicate a large quantity.

A plethora of tasks

This alternative shifts the focus to individual tasks rather than the overall workload.

An overwhelming workload

This alternative focuses on the impact of the work on the individual.

A heavy workload

This alternative highlights the demanding nature of the work.

An excessive amount of work

This alternative suggests the work is more than what is reasonable or necessary.

Considerable labor

This alternative is more formal and stresses the effort involved.

FAQs

What does "a heap of work" mean?

The phrase "a heap of work" means a large amount of work, often implying that it's overwhelming or burdensome.

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

You can use alternatives like "a large amount of work", "a mountain of work", or "a great deal of work" depending on the context.

Is "a heap of work" formal or informal?

The phrase "a heap of work" is generally considered informal. For more formal settings, consider using "a significant workload" or "a substantial amount of work".

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

You could say, "After the holiday season, there's always "a heap of work" to catch up on".