a morass of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a morass of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a troublesome situation that is complicated and difficult to deal with. Example: He was stuck in a morass of paperwork that seemed to have no end.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, a morass of protectionist rules persists.

The Economist

Ferreting Out Bargains A morass of statistics.

The New York Times - Travel

Ah life, a morass of compromise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is also a morass of legal issues.

The New York Times

"We are bogged down in a morass of competition law.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am a morass of confused and sometimes contradictory beliefs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lebanon's government isn't a lethal dictatorship but merely a morass of multisectarian dysfunction.

The New York Times

"La Jolla finds itself caught in a morass of state regulations — and it stinks.

The New York Times

Moreover, if the agents use different models, a morass of technical and conceptual difficulties will arise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I hungered for certainties even though I realized that autoimmunity was a morass of uncertainties.

The New Yorker

This tradition has been buried in a morass of meetings and messages.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a morass of" to vividly describe situations, systems, or concepts that are complex, confusing, and difficult to navigate. This phrase adds a layer of depth and negative connotation to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a morass of" when simpler language would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted or pretentious. For example, instead of saying "a morass of problems", consider "many problems" or "several issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a morass of" functions as a noun phrase, typically modifying another noun to describe a state or situation characterized by complexity, confusion, and difficulty. Ludwig confirms this is a correct phrase to use in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a morass of" is a versatile phrase used to depict situations marked by complexity, confusion, and difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in academic and formal writing. When using "a morass of", writers should aim to add depth and vividness to their descriptions, while avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives such as "a quagmire of" or "a web of" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances, as explored by Ludwig. This phrase is useful for clearly communicating the challenging nature of a topic while avoiding common usage errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quagmire of

Replaces "morass" with "quagmire", suggesting a difficult situation that is hard to escape from but maintains the sense of entrapment.

a web of

Instead of a swampy area, this suggests entanglement and interconnectedness, often implying deceit or conspiracy.

a tangle of

Implies a confused and complicated state, focusing on the lack of order and difficulty in untangling things.

a jumble of

Indicates a lack of order or organization, highlighting the chaotic nature of the situation.

a sea of

Suggests a vast quantity or expanse of something, often overwhelming in its scale.

a pile of

Conveys a sense of accumulation and disorder, focusing on the sheer volume of things.

a multitude of

Emphasizes a large number of items or elements, highlighting quantity over the negative connotations.

an abundance of

Implies a plentiful supply of something, not necessarily negative, but potentially overwhelming.

a surplus of

Indicates an excess amount, often suggesting that there is more than what is needed or wanted.

an oversupply of

Highlights an excessive amount that could potentially create problems of management.

FAQs

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

Use "a morass of" to describe something complicated and difficult to deal with. For example: "The project was bogged down in "a morass of bureaucracy"."

What phrases are similar to "a morass of"?

Similar phrases include "a quagmire of", "a web of", or "a tangle of". Each suggests a complex and often negative situation.

Is it appropriate to use "a morass of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a morass of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to convey the complexity and difficulty of a situation. However, ensure it fits the tone and isn't overly dramatic for the context.

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

"A mess of" generally implies disorganization and untidiness, while "a morass of" suggests a more complex and intractable situation. A "mess" can often be cleaned up relatively easily, but a "morass" is harder to escape.