a stack of tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a collection of tasks that need to be completed, often implying that there are many tasks to handle. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a stack of tasks waiting for me on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Lock a fellow in a windowless room to perform rote tasks just tricky enough to make him have to think, but still rote, tasks involving numbers that connect to nothing he'll ever see or care about, a stack of tasks that never goes down, and nail a clock to the wall where he can see it, and just leave the man there to his mind's own devices.

The New Yorker

Lock a fellow in a windowless room to perform rote tasks just tricky enough to make him have to think, but still rote, tasks involving numbers that connected to nothing he'd ever see or care about, a stack of tasks that never went down, and nail a clock to the wall where he can see it, and just leave the man there to his mind's own devices".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Underkoffler, now chief executive, chief scientist and founder of Oblong Industries, says there have been two problems: getting the technology right, and getting that integrated into the "full stack" of tasks that we want to do.

The Guardian - Tech

After four hours, he left the studio with a stack of handwritten notes and a promise to bring regional leaders to task over the issues that had been raised.

The Guardian

Mickens was juggling a variety of tasks at his desk, the phone cradled to his ear as he pointed to a stack of résumés.

The New York Times - Sports

She is often given the task of driving the pickup trucks that ferry church members, a stack of pillows propping her view over the dashboard.

The New York Times

Our task was to grade each carbon dust sample by shaking it through a stack of brass filters, to calibrate its fineness.

The Guardian

–A stack of blank CDs ($11).

The New Yorker

Inside is a stack of papers.

The New Yorker

Ah yes, a stack of lonely nights.

The New York Times

A stack of paper arrived.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a stack of tasks", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the tasks are related or disparate. This helps the reader understand the scope and complexity of the workload.

Common error

Avoid using "a stack of tasks" when referring to a single, complex project that is broken down into sub-tasks. The phrase is more appropriate for describing multiple, distinct tasks that have accumulated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of tasks" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It typically refers to a collection of duties or assignments, often implying a significant quantity. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe workloads or responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of tasks" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collection of duties or assignments, often implying a significant quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, suggesting it can describe a collection of tasks that need to be completed. It is most frequently found in news media, wiki and science contexts and has a neutral register. While semantically similar alternatives like "a multitude of assignments" or "a backlog of duties" exist, each carries subtle differences in emphasis. When utilizing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies whether the tasks are related or disparate to maximize clarity. Common errors include misinterpreting the scope, so this phrase is best reserved for distinct tasks rather than sub-components of a larger project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a backlog of duties

Replaces "stack" with "backlog", suggesting tasks that have accumulated and are waiting to be done and "tasks" to "duties".

a multitude of assignments

Changes the imagery from a "stack" to a "multitude", emphasizing quantity but shifting the specific metaphor and "tasks" to "assignments".

a mountain of work

Uses "mountain" instead of "stack", intensifying the sense of overwhelming quantity and "tasks" to "work".

a heap of assignments

Replaces "stack" with "heap", suggesting a disorganized pile of work using "assignments" instead of "tasks".

an accumulation of responsibilities

Substitutes "stack" with "accumulation", highlighting the gathering of tasks over time. "Tasks" become "responsibilities", indicating accountability.

an array of jobs

Changes the image to an "array", suggesting a structured collection, and replaces "tasks" with "jobs", focusing on specific work assignments.

a plethora of activities

Replaces "stack" with "plethora", emphasizing abundance, and shifts from "tasks" to "activities", broadening the scope.

a bundle of activities

Replaces "stack" with "bundle", which gives a sense of things being grouped together and uses "activities" instead of "tasks".

a series of projects

Emphasizes sequence and purpose by using "series" and "projects" instead of a static collection of "tasks".

a cluster of functions

Replaces "stack" with "cluster", which gives a sense of things being grouped together and uses "functions" instead of "tasks".

FAQs

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

You can use "a stack of tasks" to describe a collection of duties or assignments that need to be completed. For example, "After the meeting, I had "a stack of tasks" waiting for me."

What phrases are similar to "a stack of tasks"?

Similar phrases include "a multitude of assignments", "a backlog of duties", or "an accumulation of responsibilities", which all convey a similar idea of having many things to do.

Is it correct to say "a stack of task" instead of "a stack of tasks"?

No, the correct phrase is "a stack of tasks". "Tasks" should be plural because "stack" implies multiple items.

What is the difference between "a stack of tasks" and "a list of tasks"?

"A stack of tasks" implies a large, possibly overwhelming, number of tasks, often unplanned or accumulating over time. "A list of tasks" simply refers to tasks that have been written down, without necessarily implying quantity or urgency.