a lot of errands

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lot of errands" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a large number of tasks that need to be done. For example: I have to run a lot of errands before I can go home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

theorbys started a conversation about audiobooks: I have one to two hours of walking to and fro, I do a lot of errands and get in exercise, and have decided to audiobook as much as I can, so I fired up my old iPod 60GB and started downloading.

The Guardian - Books

Go on a lot of "errands" while they're at your house.

WikiHow

Phrases like "I would love to chat, but I'm swamped with work right now," "Today's not a great day to talk, I have a lot of errands," and "I unfortunately can't devote my full attention to you right now," will allow you to easily wiggle out of the conversation later on.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Applicants who wish to clear their record usually drop out of the process because it requires a lot of errand-running that they don't have time for and can be confusing, intimidating, and costly.

HuffPost

You can say, "This is a great personal errand service," but when you're thinking about it as a whole, it takes a lot of personal errands to make a million dollars.

HuffPost

You run a lot of lame errands to kill specific monsters and recover lost or stolen merchandise, and you clean out a bunch of formulaic dungeons, caves, graveyards, and the like".

Wikipedia

Do a lot of your errands with one car outing.

WikiHow

Ask the family to plan a shared timetable together in which one car trip can manage a whole lot of errands, drop-offs, and pick-ups at the one time rather than taking the car back and forth.

WikiHow

Some patients manage to get an awful lot of errands done in the course of their respiratory infections.

The New York Times

He spent a lot of time running errands for the film, and found opportunities to make, or collect, his own images throughout the day.

The New Yorker

Rural folks use a lot of gasoline doing errands, such as a trip to the dentist or the grocery store.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning your day, group errands by location to save time and reduce travel. This minimizes the number of trips and maximizes efficiency.

Common error

Avoid overloading your "errand" trips with too many tasks. Prioritize essential errands and reschedule less urgent ones for another day to prevent feeling overwhelmed and ensure each task is completed thoroughly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of errands" functions as a quantifier phrase, indicating a significant quantity of tasks or chores that need to be completed. It modifies a noun (errands) to specify the amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lot of errands" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a large number of tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's versatile, fitting in neutral contexts like news, media, and personal communication. For effective use, group errands by location to optimize time. When facing "a lot of errands", consider alternatives such as "many tasks to do" or "numerous chores" to suit different contexts. Remember to avoid overloading errand trips; prioritize tasks to manage time and effort effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of tasks

Similar to the original, but uses 'a number' instead of 'a lot'.

many tasks to do

Focuses on the work aspect, using "tasks" instead of errands.

numerous chores

Replaces "errands" with "chores", emphasizing routine household tasks.

several items on the to-do list

Highlights the planning aspect, referring to a list of tasks.

various things to take care of

Emphasizes the responsibility aspect of the tasks.

loads of small jobs

Focuses on the size and nature of tasks, describing them as small jobs.

plenty of assignments

Refers to errands as assignments, suggesting a more structured set of tasks.

a mountain of things to do

Emphasizes the overwhelming quantity of tasks to be done.

a good deal of duties

Uses more formal language, replacing "errands" with "duties".

several pending activities

Highlights that the errands are still waiting to be completed.

FAQs

How can I efficiently manage "a lot of errands"?

Prioritize your errands by urgency and location. Use a route planning app to optimize your travel and save time. Combine errands in the same area to reduce unnecessary trips.

What are some alternatives to saying "a lot of errands"?

You can use phrases like "many tasks to do", "numerous chores", or "several items on the to-do list" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a lot of errands"?

Yes, "a lot of errands" is grammatically correct. "A lot of" is a common quantifier used to indicate a large quantity of something countable, like errands.

How does the context influence the choice between "a lot of errands" and similar phrases?

The context determines the best phrase. "A lot of errands" is general. "Numerous chores" emphasizes routine tasks. "Many tasks to do" focuses on work. "Several items on the to-do list" highlights planning.