a load of washing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a load of washing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a quantity of laundry that needs to be washed. Example: "I need to put a load of washing in before we head out for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She has to deliver sandwiches, hot tea and a word of warning to the village's street prostitutes, get a load of washing on and somehow, some way, swerve Shackleton's Medusa-with-cramps glare.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"If you work at home you cut down the commute time, can easily do nursery or childminder pick-ups and can fit in a load of washing between client calls," says Miles.

The Guardian

"We were playing Manchester that night," White says, "but we had to do a load of washing first, and the chart show were ringing us - you have to do this fake thing where they ring you during the day and you have to pretend it's the evening, and I'm a really bad actress.

The Guardian - Music

Do a load of washing in your washing machine.

WikiHow

The programme was based on the participant setting a functional goal (e.g. being able to prune the roses again or able to do a load of washing independently) and the nurse completing a functional assessment and designing an individualised programme based on the functioning needed for the goal [ 36].

BMC Geriatrics

However tempting it may be, don't hang out a load of washing or make that quick call to your mum.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The wife was hanging a load of wash on a line, socks, a bra, underwear, linens that unfurled like flags in the wind.

The New Yorker

"I was so happy with the ability to write a proposal and do a load of wash at the same time," she said.

The New York Times

At home, later, after she's weeded the tomatoes, harvested the last of the string beans, hauled a load of wash down to the stream and spread it out over the long grass, she sits on the porch with a jar of cold well water and begins: Before the last blackout the power had been on and off for weeks.

The New Yorker

When I had finished, my wife, Sue, did a load of wash.

Huffington Post

She didn't speak, but smiled and held Sam's hand while he told her how he had done a load of wash, watered the tomatoes, mulched the beans, washed dishes, made lemonade.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a load of washing", ensure it's clear whether you're referring to the clothes being washed or the process itself. The context usually provides sufficient clarity.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, avoid using "a load of washing" in highly formal documents. Opt for more precise language like "a batch of laundry" or "the laundry to be processed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a load of washing" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It designates a quantity of clothes being washed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a grammatically correct construction commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a load of washing" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, typically indicating a quantity of clothes for washing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for everyday conversation and informal writing, although more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives. Usage spans across News & Media, Wiki, and Science categories. When employing the phrase, clarity is paramount to ensure your audience understands that the clothes are being washed in a single cycle. It is a common way to describe a household chore.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a batch of laundry

Replaces "load of washing" with a more general term for a quantity of laundry.

a pile of laundry

Focuses on the accumulation of clothes needing to be washed, similar to the idea of a load.

doing the laundry

Emphasizes the activity of washing clothes rather than the quantity.

washing clothes

A more general term for the process, omitting the concept of a specific quantity.

a washload of clothes

Reverses the structure and uses washload as a single word. This sounds slightly less common.

a clothes wash

Simplifies the expression focusing on clothes and the washing activity, it's also uncommon.

doing a wash

A more concise and informal way to refer to the action of washing clothes.

a laundry cycle

Refers to the complete process of washing and drying clothes in a machine.

a washing cycle

More literal and closer to the original, although it sounds slightly odd.

a cleaning of clothes

Focuses on the cleaning aspect and is more formal, but less common.

FAQs

What does "a load of washing" mean?

The phrase "a load of washing" refers to the amount of clothes that you can put in a washing machine for "a single wash".

How can I use "a load of washing" in a sentence?

You can say, for example, "I need to do "a load of washing" today" or "She put "a load of washing" in the machine".

Is "a load of washing" the same as "a load of laundry"?

Yes, "a load of washing" and "a load of laundry" are interchangeable and mean the same thing.

What is an alternative to "a load of washing"?

Alternatives include "a batch of laundry" or "a pile of laundry", depending on whether you want to emphasize the process or the quantity.