a pile of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pile of work" is a common expression used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large amount of work or tasks to be completed. Example sentence: "I have a pile of work to finish before the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Although I have a pile of work and deadlines, I'm not at my computer.

The New York Times

There is a pile of work to be done, calibrating results, to make the rules workable.

The Economist

Standing near a pile of work gloves and tape measures, three days before the opening, Newson surveyed the room.

The New Yorker

Another time, you gave me a pile of work to do at 4 20pm on a Friday afternoon.

The Guardian

I can wade through a pile of work in the morning, clear my desk by 10 30, give dictation.

The New Yorker

I wake up at 3 in the morning with a pile of work I haven't touched and deadlines that stand as daunting as skyscrapers and I think about you mother.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In a qualitative study asking nonresponding general practitioners why they did not respond, fully 34% said that the questionnaire "got lost in a pile of paper work".

BMC Medical Research Methodology

ITER was only an idea, a pile of schematics worked out in three countries by intercontinental fax, and yet the collaboration was already fraying.

The New Yorker

He has produced a deep treatise on government debt, served as chairman of a world-spanning regulatory body, run Italy's central bank (while remaining coolly removed from the scandals and fracases of Italian politics) and made a pile of money working at Goldman Sachs — all without being pigeonholed as an academic, regulator or investment banker.

The New York Times

If the jump is at the bottom of the hill, a pile of logs works very well.

WikiHow

"If you're out of touch for just a few days, there's a big pile of work waiting for you," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pile of work", consider the context and audience. While generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "a heavy workload".

Common error

Avoid using "a pile of work" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pile of work" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It describes a substantial amount of tasks or responsibilities needing completion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pile of work" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a large amount of tasks or assignments that need to be completed. While generally considered neutral in register, it's most frequently found in news and media sources according to Ludwig AI. When writing, consider your audience and context to ensure the phrase aligns with your desired tone. If formality is key, opting for alternatives like "a heavy workload" or "a substantial amount of work" may be more suitable. Be mindful of overusing this phrase and explore synonyms to maintain the reader's interest. Overall, "a pile of work" is a functional phrase that effectively conveys the presence of significant responsibilities or tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heavy workload

Replaces "pile" with "workload", emphasizing the amount of work.

a large amount of work

Substitutes "pile" with "amount", focusing on the quantity.

a mountain of tasks

Uses "mountain" as a metaphor for a large, overwhelming quantity of tasks.

a backlog of assignments

Replaces the general term "work" with more specific "assignments", suggesting items waiting to be processed.

an overwhelming amount to do

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed by the volume of tasks.

a considerable volume of tasks

Replaces "pile" with "volume", framing it in a more professional tone.

a significant quantity of work

Uses "significant quantity" to highlight the magnitude of the work.

loads of things to do

Emphasizes the many items or responsibilities needing attention.

plenty of work on my plate

Focuses on the responsibilities assigned to the speaker.

an extensive series of tasks

Refers to a set of interconnected tasks rather than a singular, undifferentiated workload.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pile of work" to describe a large quantity of tasks needing completion. For example, "I have "a pile of work" to finish before the deadline".

What can I say instead of "a pile of work"?

You can use alternatives like "a heavy workload", "a large amount of work", or "a mountain of tasks" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a pile of work" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, "a pile of work" might be perceived as informal. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "a substantial workload" or "a significant amount of work".

What's the difference between "a pile of work" and "a backlog of tasks"?

"A pile of work" generally refers to a large quantity of tasks. "A backlog of tasks" specifically refers to tasks that are accumulated and waiting to be addressed, often implying a delay or accumulation over time.