a mess of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mess of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or collection of things that are disorganized or chaotic. Example: "After the party, the living room was left in a mess of empty bottles and discarded decorations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mess of things".

The Guardian - Sport

The yard was a mess of garbage.

The New Yorker

And it killed a mess of bills.

The New York Times

Villa make a mess of the corner.

The Guardian - Sport

The square is a mess of confusion.

The Guardian - Tech

Everybody ordered a mess of them.

The Guardian

She's a mass, a mess of contradictions.

The Guardian - Music

But they had a mess of them".

The New York Times - Sports

Q. DEET makes a mess of my fly fishing gear.

Harvard University

And these people make a mess of their lives.

Yale University

'Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mess of" when you want to convey disorganization or a chaotic collection of items or circumstances. Ensure the context supports the informal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a mess of" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "a multitude of" or "a complex situation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mess of" primarily functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, followed by a noun. It modifies the noun to indicate a large quantity or disorganized state. Ludwig AI identifies this usage as correct and common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mess of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a disorganized collection or a chaotic situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts. While generally informal, it appears most often in news and media, with notable presence in academic writing as well. When using this phrase, consider its implications of disarray and whether a more formal alternative might be appropriate for your intended audience. Be aware, as well, that Ludwig's analysis of its usage patterns may help guide your writing and prevent misapplications of its meaning or context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a jumble of

Focuses on the disorganization and lack of order.

a tangle of

Suggests complexity and difficulty in sorting through something.

a heap of

Emphasizes quantity and accumulation, often implying disorder.

a multitude of

Highlights a large number or great quantity.

a plethora of

Indicates an excessive amount or overabundance.

a hodgepodge of

Implies a mixture of different things, often without a clear pattern.

a mishmash of

Similar to hodgepodge, but perhaps even more chaotic.

a predicament

Shifts the focus to a difficult or unpleasant situation.

a conundrum

Highlights the confusing or puzzling nature of a problem.

a quandary

Emphasizes uncertainty and indecision when facing a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a mess of" in a sentence?

You can use "a mess of" to describe a disorganized collection of things or a chaotic situation. For example, "The office was a mess of papers and files" or "The project turned into a mess of problems".

What can I say instead of "a mess of"?

You can use alternatives like "a jumble of", "a tangle of", or "a multitude of" depending on the specific context.

Is "a mess of" formal or informal?

"A mess of" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise or professional alternatives such as "a multitude of" or "a complex situation".

What's the difference between "a mess of" and "a lot of"?

While both phrases indicate a quantity, "a mess of" implies disorganization or chaos in addition to quantity, whereas "a lot of" simply indicates a large amount. For example, "a lot of books" just means many books, while "a mess of books" suggests they are disorganized.