a stack of photographs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of photographs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection of photographs that are piled or arranged in a stack. Example: "After the event, I found a stack of photographs on the table that captured all the memorable moments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

She opened it and extracted a stack of photographs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Stevens has a stack of photographs of 100-plus homes available as shooting sites.

The New York Times

There is a desk or a DESK nearby, with a stack of photographs and some pages of a manuscript.

The New York Times - Books

His GI father came here with the US army in 1946, and left his son a stack of photographs.

The Guardian - Books

After a swim with my golden retrievers, we looked over a stack of photographs taken from his journeys.

The New York Times - Magazine

She got up from her kitchen table to fetch a stack of photographs of mountain lions and bears that had been spotted in her neighbor's yard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Many computational photography techniques work by first capturing a coded representation of the scene---a stack of photographs with different settings, an image obtained via a modified optical path, et cetera---and then computationally decoding it later as a post-process according to the user's specification.

Stanford University

Within a few days, Mr. Naugle received a stack of Marwencol photographs in the mail.

The New York Times

But his wife Michelle answered, and gave them one from a stack of signed photographs she kept by the door for such occasions.

Independent

The lawyer was recently approached by police officers with a stack of large photographs and asked whether he could identify the policemen who had tortured him, according to the Chongqing resident with police contacts.

The New York Times

On the night of his match, before an interview is mentioned, Abdullah's first words are, "Where's my money?" When reminded that he will receive no compensation, he points to a stack of autographed photographs that sell for $10 apiece and says, "Buy one of these".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To be more specific consider adjectives or modifiers before “stack”, such as “an old stack of photographs”

Common error

Avoid using "a stack of photographs" to describe exclusively digital image collections. While metaphorically acceptable, it's more accurate to use terms like "digital photo album" or "image gallery" for virtual collections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of photographs" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. It denotes a collection of photographs physically arranged in a pile. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a stack of photographs" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe multiple photographs arranged in a pile. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While seemingly straightforward, its usage can subtly convey nostalgic feelings, descriptive intentions, or artistic presentations. When considering digital collections it is advisable to use terms like "digital photo album" or "image gallery". The examples and alternative phrases offer writers precision in describing image collections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pile of photos

Replaces "stack" with "pile", suggesting a less orderly arrangement.

photo collection

Simple 2 words alternative, it's commonly used.

a collection of images

Uses a more general term, "images", instead of the specific "photographs".

a set of pictures

Replaces "photographs" with "pictures", a broader term.

an assortment of snapshots

Suggests a more informal or casual collection of photographs.

a batch of prints

Refers specifically to printed photographs.

a selection of photos

Implies a curated or chosen group of photographs.

a photographic compilation

Highlights the organized nature of the collection.

a series of images

Emphasizes the sequence or order of the photographs.

photographic archive

Uses the term archive to emphasize that the photographs are kept for historical reference.

FAQs

How can I use "a stack of photographs" in a sentence?

You can use "a stack of photographs" to describe a physical collection of photos arranged on top of each other. For example, "She found "a stack of photographs" in the attic, documenting her family's history".

What's the difference between "a stack of photographs" and "a photo album"?

"A stack of photographs" refers to a pile of loose photos, while "a photo album" implies that the photos are organized and stored in a specific book or binder. A photo album offers better protection and organization compared to "a stack of photographs".

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

You can use alternatives like "a pile of photos", "a collection of images", or "a photo collection" depending on the context. Each has slightly different implications for the arrangement and nature of the images.

Is it appropriate to use "a stack of photographs" for digital images?

While technically referring to physical items, "a stack of photographs" can be used metaphorically for a large, unorganized collection of digital images. However, terms like "an image gallery" or "a digital photo album" are more precise in that context.