a mountain of boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mountain of boxes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of boxes, often implying that they are stacked or piled high. Example: "After the move, we were left with a mountain of boxes that took days to unpack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For the first time there is an actual set dominated by a mountain of boxes, designed by Peter Ksander.

The New York Times

I think it is a solution that works, and could be a good one for small institutions and organizations who may not have a lot of resources, or for anyone faced with a mountain of boxes that need spacers in a hurry.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bill Chase, Geneva A mountain of debt?

The New York Times

"When they open their door and there's a mountain of Amazon boxes, the families know that each box represents a person that has chosen to send them a gift because they think they're important," Whitehill said.

The Washington Post

At times, his sorting room has a mountain of 1,500 boxes.

The New York Times

A mountain of delivery boxes was stacked at the entrance of the center's historic grist mill, awaiting transformation into a three-story holiday showcase of handmade crafts.

The New York Times

Two of his employees, Gabriel and Said El Kareem, stand on top of a mountain of flattened boxes, which can be resold outside the city, even to worldwide buyers.

Forbes

Evidence of a hasty and disorderly departure from Cape Adare was noted two years later, when the site was visited by members of the Discovery Expedition, after which Edward Wilson wrote; "... heaps of refuse all around, and a mountain of provision boxes, dead birds, seals, dogs, sledging gear ... and heaven knows what else".

Wikipedia

I thought it would be the perfect addition to the décor in his newly purchased co-op, whose strongest architectural feature was a mountain of empty pizza boxes.

The New York Times

Only in this little corner, crammed with a mountain of crazy-shouting-people boxes, did things go dark.

TechCrunch

A Hawaiian invention, the dish — although that is too formal a word for something you can buy at a drive-in and eat out of a plastic foam box — consists of a mountain of rice under a floppy hamburger patty with a fried-egg crest, the whole business swamped with gravy.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mountain of boxes" to vividly describe a large accumulation of boxes, particularly when they are stacked high or create a significant visual impression.

Common error

While effective in descriptive writing, avoid using "a mountain of boxes" in formal reports or business communications where a more precise quantification might be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mountain of boxes" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptive element within a sentence. It typically serves as an object or subject complement, vividly illustrating a significant accumulation of boxes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mountain of boxes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a large accumulation of boxes. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, it's important to consider the register and choose more precise language for formal settings. Its communicative purpose is to vividly illustrate quantity, and while it appears most frequently in News & Media, its versatility makes it applicable across multiple domains. Remember to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases like "a large quantity of boxes" or "a huge pile of boxes" to maintain clarity and formality where needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large quantity of boxes

Replaces the metaphorical "mountain" with a more literal descriptor of size.

a huge pile of boxes

Substitutes "mountain" with "pile" and "large" with "huge", both indicating a significant amount.

an abundance of boxes

Shifts the focus to the plentiful nature of the boxes rather than the physical accumulation.

a massive collection of boxes

Replaces the visual imagery of a mountain with the idea of a large collection.

a great number of boxes

Uses a more formal and less visually descriptive way to express a large quantity.

a sea of boxes

Employs a different metaphor, comparing the boxes to a vast expanse of water.

a surplus of boxes

Indicates an excess or oversupply of boxes.

tons of boxes

Uses a colloquial expression to convey a large quantity.

oodles of boxes

Employs an informal term suggesting a very large amount.

a plethora of boxes

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to express a large quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a mountain of boxes" in a sentence?

You can use "a mountain of boxes" to describe a large accumulation of boxes, often implying they are stacked high. For example: "After the move, we had "a mountain of boxes" to unpack."

What can I say instead of "a mountain of boxes"?

You can use alternatives like "a large quantity of boxes", "a huge pile of boxes", or "an abundance of boxes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a mountain of boxes" or "a mountain of box"?

"A mountain of boxes" is correct when referring to multiple boxes. "A mountain of box" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Is "a mountain of boxes" a formal expression?

No, ""a mountain of boxes"" is not particularly formal. It's suitable for general descriptive writing, but might be too informal for highly professional or academic contexts. In those cases you may want to use a large quantity of boxes.