a pile of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pile of" is correct and can be used in written English in a variety of contexts.
For example, you could say, "There was a pile of books on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A pile of metal.

The New Yorker

It is a pile of human beings.

The New Yorker

A pile of frosting, like a dream.

The New Yorker

A pile of questionable debt.

The New York Times

A pile of grievances followed.

The New York Times - Style

a pile of floppy disks.

MIT Technology Review

It's a pile of chicken.

The Guardian - Opinion

A pile of bright things.

The New Yorker

A pile of dirt: a recent burrow.

The New Yorker

A pile of sliced miniature green onions.

The New York Times - Travel

Just a pile of shoes remains.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pile of" to describe a disorganized collection of items. For more structured arrangements, consider alternatives like "a stack of" or "a row of".

Common error

While "a pile of" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal in business or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms such as "an accumulation of", "a collection of", or specify the quantity with "a significant amount of" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pile of" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a quantity or collection of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pile of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a collection of items. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use in various contexts, although it may be considered informal in certain professional or academic settings. When deciding on "a pile of", consider if the collection is disorganized and if the context allows for a less formal expression. Remember to choose synonyms like "a stack of" or "a heap of" based on the specific image you want to convey. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and academic sources, highlighting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stack of

Emphasizes a neat, vertical arrangement rather than a disordered heap.

a heap of

Highlights the unstructured and possibly untidy nature of the collection.

a load of

Suggests a substantial quantity, often implying a burden or responsibility.

a mountain of

Implies a very large and imposing quantity, often used hyperbolically.

a collection of

Focuses on the act of gathering items together, suggesting a more deliberate arrangement.

an accumulation of

Stresses the gradual process of building up a quantity over time.

a mass of

Emphasizes the undifferentiated bulk or density of the collection.

an abundance of

Highlights the plentiful or excessive nature of the quantity.

a wealth of

Suggests a rich and valuable quantity, often used for intangible things.

a surplus of

Indicates that there is more than is needed or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pile of" to describe a collection of items, for example, "There's "a pile of laundry" waiting to be folded" or "He had "a pile of papers" on his desk".

What phrases are similar to "a pile of"?

Alternatives include "a stack of", "a heap of", or "a mountain of", depending on the size and arrangement you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "a pile of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a pile of" might be considered too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "a large quantity of" or "an accumulation of" in such cases.

How does "a pile of" differ from "a stack of"?

"A pile of" suggests a disordered or unstructured collection, while ""a stack of"" implies a neat and orderly arrangement, usually placed one on top of another.