a load of garbage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a load of garbage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is nonsense or of poor quality. Example: "The report was filled with inaccuracies and misleading information; it was just a load of garbage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He never tells you a load of garbage.

The New York Times - Sports

"Why would I wish to engage in this and tell you a load of garbage?

The Guardian - Opinion

After my conversation with Tod Williams, I thought, yes, issue No. 13 was basically a load of garbage.

The New York Times

Even those who escape, however, can't seem to free themselves from the slow burn of their heritage, much like a decades-old underground coal fire, ignited "when someone dumped a load of garbage down a mine shaft".

The New Yorker

"People who hunt should walk and stalk their game, not drive a pickup truck, dump a load of garbage in the woods and swill beer while they wait for the game to come to them".

The New York Times

"It's is a load of garbage.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I hear this stuff, 'It came out of nowhere.' I think it's a load of [garbage].

Huffington Post

It's a disgrace, a load of bloody garbage".

The Guardian - Sport

It is a load of liquidy garbage.

TechCrunch

"Hey, Chet, get a load of the garbage these rubes spent all day cooking for us.

Vice

As I gazed at the poster, a man walked up with a load of his own garbage, and dumped it onto Qaddafi's face, staring fiercely at the image as he did so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a load of garbage", consider your audience and the context. While generally acceptable, it may be too informal for certain professional or academic settings. Choose a more suitable alternative such as "a bunch of rubbish" or "utter hogwash" for formal communications.

Common error

While "a load of garbage" is a common expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "a pile of nonsense" or "complete poppycock" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a load of garbage" functions as a noun phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes something considered worthless, untrue, or nonsensical. It often serves as a subject complement, providing a negative evaluation of something previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a load of garbage" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to express that something is worthless, untrue, or nonsensical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for informal contexts and serves to convey strong disapproval or disbelief. While frequently found in News & Media sources, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "a bunch of rubbish" or "utter hogwash" in professional or academic settings. Overusing this phrase can make your writing repetitive, so consider employing synonyms like "a pile of nonsense" to enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bunch of rubbish

Replaces "garbage" with "rubbish", offering a slightly more British English flavor while maintaining the core meaning of something worthless or nonsensical.

a pile of nonsense

Substitutes "load" with "pile" and "garbage" with "nonsense", conveying the idea of something being foolish or untrue.

a crock of baloney

Replaces "load of garbage" with a more colorful idiom, "crock of baloney", which also means something is false or ridiculous.

a pack of lies

Shifts the focus to deceit, implying that what's being said is intentionally untrue, rather than just worthless.

utter hogwash

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word, "hogwash", which means nonsense or rubbish.

pure bunkum

Similar to "hogwash", "bunkum" implies that something is insincere or empty talk.

complete poppycock

Emphasizes the absurdity and silliness of something, suggesting it's not worth taking seriously.

total codswallop

A British English term for nonsense, offering a regional variation with the same general meaning.

absolute drivel

Highlights the lack of substance or intelligence in something that is being said or written.

patently absurd

Shifts the emphasis to the obvious and undeniable nature of something's foolishness or irrationality.

FAQs

What does "a load of garbage" mean?

The phrase "a load of garbage" is an informal idiom used to describe something that is considered to be nonsense, untrue, or of very poor quality. It implies that something is worthless or not worth taking seriously.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a load of garbage"?

The phrase "a load of garbage" is best used in informal settings or casual conversations. It's generally not suitable for formal writing, business communications, or academic papers, where more professional language is expected. Consider alternatives like "a bunch of rubbish" or "utter hogwash" in formal settings.

What are some alternative ways to say "a load of garbage"?

There are many ways to express a similar sentiment. Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a pile of nonsense", "utter hogwash", "a crock of baloney", or simply "rubbish" or "nonsense".

Is "a load of garbage" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a load of garbage" is grammatically correct. It is a common idiomatic expression in English. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules and is typically used to express that something is nonsense or of poor quality.