a stack of clothes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of clothes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a pile or collection of clothing items that are stacked on top of each other. Example: "After doing laundry, I found a stack of clothes waiting to be folded on the bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Nearby, Rich Suriano, a telecommunications project manager with longish gray hair, who'd come from Northport, New York, with his wife, Lisa, photographed a stack of clothes with his smartphone, as if he were shooting evidence of a crime.

The New Yorker

Not far from the inflatable neck pillows, bathroom emergency kits, and approved carry-on bottles there is a set of clear plastic vacuum-compression bags that promise to significantly reduce the volume of a stack of clothes — temporarily, one hopes ($15).

The New Yorker

When she reads the inevitable trend story about the resurgence of vinyl, she will probably get her records from Urban Outfitters, next to a stack of clothes last seen on the set of "Clarissa Explains It All".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She would bring him books, magazines, and a stack of fresh clothes, and take home his laundry to wash.

The New Yorker

Noehmi had prepared a surprise for Helen: a giant Teddy bear, a pizza party, a stack of new clothes, and a Disney princess castle with a "Mulan" theme ("She's a princess fanatic," Noehmi told me).

The New Yorker

In the visiting room, he would hand her his dirty clothes and get a stack of freshly laundered clothes in return.

The New Yorker

"The stench was horrible, like a stack of old wet clothes that had been left in the laundry for two months," said Powell, the chief Westside health inspector.

Los Angeles Times

Place a stack of pillows, blankets, clothes, etc. underneath your pelvis area whilst in a lunge.

WikiHow

He turned away, shaking his head, returning to the stack of clothes on the table.

The New York Times

He turned away, shaking his head, returning to the stack of clothes.

The New York Times

As I talked to the dispatcher, the man approached me, our stack of clothes, blanket and coat filling his arms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a stack of clothes", consider specifying the type of clothes (e.g., "a stack of folded shirts") for greater clarity.

Common error

Don't just say "a stack of clothes" without providing context. Specify if it's clean laundry, old clothes for donation, or clothes on display in a store.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of clothes" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, referring to a collection of garments arranged in a pile.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of clothes" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a collection of clothing items arranged in a pile. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, although providing more specific details about the type of clothes or the context is often beneficial. While the phrase itself is neutral, the surrounding language can influence the overall tone. You might consider using alternatives such as "a pile of garments" or "a heap of clothing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of garments

Replaces "clothes" with a more formal synonym "garments" and "stack" with "pile".

a heap of clothing

Uses "heap" to describe a less orderly pile and "clothing" as a general term.

a collection of apparel

Replaces "clothes" with "apparel", suggesting a more curated or specific selection.

a bundle of attire

Uses "bundle" to imply a tied or wrapped collection and "attire" as a formal synonym for clothing.

a store of clothing

Suggests a larger quantity or a supply of clothing.

a mountain of laundry

Specifically refers to unwashed clothes, emphasizing the task of doing laundry.

a load of garments

Implies a quantity of clothes being transported or processed.

assorted garments

Highlights the variety of clothes in the collection.

organized clothing

Contrasts with the implied disorder of a "stack", suggesting a more deliberate arrangement.

clothing assortment

A noun phrase describing a set of different kinds of clothing.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a stack of clothes" and "a pile of clothes"?

While both refer to a collection of garments, "stack" implies a more orderly arrangement, while "pile" suggests a less organized heap. You could say that "a stack of clothes" is a carefully arranged pile.

What can I say instead of "a stack of clothes"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a pile of garments", "a heap of clothing", or "a collection of apparel".

Is it grammatically correct to say "stacks of clothes"?

Yes, "stacks of clothes" is grammatically correct. It simply indicates multiple stacks, rather than a single one. For example "Stacks of clothes were all over the bedroom floor".

How to use "a stack of clothes" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of clothes" to describe clothing items arranged on top of each other. For example, "She folded the laundry and created "a stack of clothes" on the bed".