a mountain of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mountain of work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large, overwhelming amount of work that must be completed. For example, "I have a mountain of work to do before the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Forbes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It leaves a mountain of work for us".

The New York Times

He produced a mountain of work published in some 40 books.

The Economist

"He's a bonny horse who takes a mountain of work and he has toe," Henderson said.

The Guardian - Sport

I was feeling under the weather and had a mountain of work, so I sent my regrets.

The New York Times

There is a mountain of work still to be done to turn the venues into sporting theatres.

Independent

And if multiple breaks are out of the question when you're buried under a mountain of work?

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

For him he says it's a mountain of a work.

The New York Times

Among the main dishes, crab leg curry, imbued with coconut milk, curry leaves and garlic, was a mountain of sloppy work with a delicious payoff.

The New York Times

I got sucked into a mountain of volunteer work.

Huffington Post

If you're constantly struggling to find specific tools or documents in a mountain of clutter, serious work time is being wasted.

WikiHow

We've got a mountain load of work to do each day, and the next day, while also making sure that we're providing top notch customer service.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mountain of work" to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks. Break down the "mountain" into smaller, manageable steps to reduce stress and increase productivity.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "a mountain of work" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "considerable workload" or "substantial amount of work" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mountain of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement within a sentence. It serves to quantify and emphasize the large volume of tasks or responsibilities that one faces. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Forbes

8%

HuffPost

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

The New Yorker

2%

The New York Times

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mountain of work" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large and overwhelming workload. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in various contexts, though it's wise to avoid overuse. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, with a high frequency in news and media. For variety, consider alternatives such as "considerable workload" or "substantial amount of work".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable workload

Focuses on the amount of work, emphasizing its significance.

a substantial amount of work

Highlights the significant quantity of work.

a large volume of tasks

Emphasizes the numerous tasks that need to be done.

an overwhelming amount of work

Highlights the feeling of being burdened by the work.

a heavy burden of responsibilities

Shifts the focus to the weight and pressure of responsibilities.

a demanding schedule

Concentrates on the intensity and rigor of the required work.

an extensive list of duties

Focuses on the broad scope of duties to be performed.

a challenging set of assignments

Emphasizes the difficulty and complexity of the assignments.

a significant undertaking

Highlights the scale and importance of the project or work.

a major project

Focuses on the size and importance of the project.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mountain of work" to describe a situation where you have a large and overwhelming amount of tasks to complete. For example, "After the holidays, I came back to "a mountain of work" at the office."

What's a less common synonym for "a mountain of work"?

A less common synonym for "a mountain of work" is "a considerable workload". This still implies a significant amount of work, but may sound more formal depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a mountain of works" instead of "a mountain of work"?

No, it's not correct. "Work" is generally used as an uncountable noun in this context, so the correct phrasing is "a mountain of work", not "a mountain of works".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a mountain of work"?

It's appropriate to use "a mountain of work" when you want to emphasize the large quantity and overwhelming nature of the work that needs to be done. It's suitable for both informal and somewhat formal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from a more precise alternative like "substantial amount of work".