a stack of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a stack of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a large quantity of something, e.g. "She had a stack of books on her desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ah yes, a stack of lonely nights.

The New York Times

–A stack of blank CDs ($11).

The New Yorker

Inside is a stack of papers.

The New Yorker

A stack of paper arrived.

The Guardian

I've already got a stack of handbags".

The New York Times

Nico pointed to a stack of photocopies.

The New Yorker

On a stack of Penthouse Forums.

The New York Times - Books

A stack of chocolate brownies arrives.

The Guardian - Books

It looks like a stack of boxes".

The New York Times

I'd lie on a stack of Bibles".

The New Yorker

Under a stack of unread New Yorkers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stack of" to describe an orderly pile of items, especially when they are arranged one on top of another. It is suitable for both physical objects like "a stack of books" and abstract concepts like "a stack of responsibilities".

Common error

Avoid using "a stack of" for items that cannot be physically stacked, such as liquids or intangible concepts that don't lend themselves to being piled up. Instead, opt for phrases like "a collection of" or "a series of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a collection of items arranged vertically. It modifies a noun, specifying the quantity and arrangement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a perfectly acceptable phrase, as evidenced by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe multiple items arranged vertically. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and versatile, fitting seamlessly into various contexts ranging from news and media to academic and informal settings. When writing, remember to use "a stack of" for items that can be physically stacked and consider alternatives like "a pile of" or "a collection of" when describing disorganized or non-stackable items. The phrase’s frequency and presence across authoritative sources reinforce its reliability and widespread use in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of

Implies a less organized or neat collection compared to "a stack of".

a heap of

Suggests a disordered collection, often larger than a stack.

a mountain of

Emphasizes a very large quantity, more than a typical stack.

a collection of

A more general term for a group of items, without necessarily implying they are stacked.

an accumulation of

Suggests a gradual gathering of items, often over time.

a group of

A broad term referring to any set of items.

a cluster of

Implies items are closely gathered, but not necessarily stacked.

a batch of

Refers to a set of items produced or gathered at the same time.

an array of

Suggests a variety of items displayed in an organized manner.

a series of

Implies items arranged in a sequence, not necessarily stacked.

FAQs

How do you use "a stack of" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of" to describe an orderly pile of items. For example: "He had a stack of papers on his desk", or "There's a stack of pancakes waiting for you".

What are some alternatives to using "a stack of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a pile of", "a heap of", or "a collection of".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a stack of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "A stack of" is a common and accepted phrase used to describe multiple items arranged in a pile.

When should I use "a stack of" instead of "pile of"?

"A stack of" implies a more organized and neat arrangement compared to "a pile of". Use "a stack of" when the items are intentionally placed one on top of the other in a tidy manner.