a mountain of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mountain of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or accumulation of something, often implying that it is overwhelming or difficult to manage. Example: "After the holidays, I found myself with a mountain of paperwork to sort through."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bill Chase, Geneva A mountain of debt?

The New York Times

Instead, the builder is saddled with the onerous task of packing the brain with a mountain of instincts (something that will require many generations of future scientists to unpack, as they struggle to build the teleome), and somehow managing to encode all that wisdom in the fine structure of the brain's organization.

HuffPost

"They're making a mountain out of something significantly less than a molehill," Wagner said.

Los Angeles Times

Clean air like this is something that a mountain of gold can't buy in the Chinese big city from where I come.

Forbes

They're talking to aimless 20-somethings with a mountain of student loan debt having no idea what they were going to do in life.

Vice

It can be frustrating when there's a mountain of evidence indicating that the accused did something terrible, as there is in the Boston marathon bombings, and we want fast and easy justice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consider the Earn as you learn method: Apprenticing is one excellent way to avoid a mountain of debt and go to work doing something rewarding, valuable, and profitable, right away.

Huffington Post

GSteph has selected his most serious camera angle to start us off with today, to talk about how the situation in Syria looks, at the moment, to be a thing that brings "a measure of victory for something that brought a mountain of criticism".

Huffington Post

There is a mountain of advice on how to improve your sleep; find something that works for you.

Huffington Post

It's quite something to watch this baler transform a mountain of plastic into a dense, 1000-lb, four-foot cube in just about half an hour.

Cornell University

From an airplane, we imagine these masterpieces turn a mountain into something akin to a twirling work of street art.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mountain of something" when you want to convey that the quantity is not only large but also imposing or daunting. It's suitable for both physical objects (e.g., "a mountain of laundry") and abstract concepts (e.g., "a mountain of debt").

Common error

While "a mountain of something" is acceptable in many situations, it might be too informal for very formal or professional writing. Consider using more precise language or a less figurative expression if the context demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mountain of something" functions as a figurative expression, specifically a hyperbole. It's used to emphasize the large quantity or overwhelming nature of whatever "something" is. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mountain of something" is a figurative expression used to describe a large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, conveying a sense of abundance or being overwhelmed. While it is acceptable in many contexts, it's best to avoid it in highly formal or scientific writing, opting for more precise language instead. Related alternatives include "a vast quantity of something" and "a huge pile of something". It's important to consider the specific context and desired level of formality when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vast quantity of something

Emphasizes the immensity of the amount.

an enormous amount of something

Focuses on the size of the quantity.

a huge pile of something

Focuses on the physical accumulation of items.

a massive accumulation of something

Emphasizes the gradual gathering of a large amount.

an abundance of something

Highlights the plentiful nature of the amount.

an overwhelming supply of something

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened by the quantity.

a wealth of something

Implies a valuable or desirable quantity.

a considerable quantity of something

Highlights the significance of the amount.

a plethora of something

Suggests an excessive or overwhelming amount.

a great deal of something

A more general way to express a large quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mountain of something" to describe a large quantity of something, often implying it is overwhelming. For instance, "After the project ended, I had "a mountain of emails" to answer".

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

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

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

While generally acceptable, "a mountain of something" might be considered too informal for highly formal writing. Consider using a more precise or less figurative alternative.

What does "a mountain of something" imply about the quantity?

It implies that the quantity is not only large but also potentially overwhelming or difficult to manage. It suggests a significant accumulation.