a stack of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stack of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of tasks or responsibilities that need to be completed. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a stack of work waiting for me on my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One afternoon, Vineet Jain, sitting on a sofa in his home with a stack of work on the coffee table in front him, spoke of the challenges facing his company.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Moreover, Yes Please is only the latest in a stack of works by professional funny women whose wisecracks and shared confidences envelop the kind of cosy wisdom once shelved in the self-help section.

BBC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 — Congress departed on Friday for a two-week break, leaving behind a stack of unfinished work as a major farm bill became the latest victim of a stalemate that has bedeviled Congress all year.

The New York Times

Dear - - -, On most nights, I'm just reading the last Dr. Seuss story to the kids while you're kicking off your high heels and settling into a stack of paper work.

The New York Times - Magazine

No new research maybe, little or no networking, but a stack of completed work to get into print.

Science Magazine

The Alta cell is actually a stack of two working cells, which is now a common technique in high-end cells.

The New York Times

Invader rifled through a stack of finished works and selected a postersize board, peeling back an adhesive coating to reveal an instantly recognizable pixel portrait in baby blue, black and white, with sinister dark blue Invader figures descending in the background.

The New York Times - Arts

At the same time, you've gotten into a fight with your partner, your debit card was stolen, and your boss handed you a tall stack of work.

Huffington Post

I usually finish seeing patients at around 4pm and then have a stack of paperwork to work through including writing out prescriptions for the following week.

The Guardian

Instead, bring in a stack of magazines to work to read throughout the day, open the window and take 10 deep breaths, check out your favorite blog, take a walk around the block, get a 10-minute back massage at your local nail salon (this one helped me lose my first 15 pounds).

Huffington Post

Fiona will give you a stack of runes that work like normal runes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a substantial amount of tasks, consider using "a stack of work" to convey the visual image of many things piled up, emphasizing the quantity and effort needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a stack of work" when describing minor tasks or responsibilities, as it can exaggerate the situation. Reserve this phrase for situations genuinely involving a large volume of work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stack of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes a substantial quantity of tasks or assignments that need attention. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stack of work" is a noun phrase used to describe a substantial amount of tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples from various sources, primarily in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal contexts may warrant alternatives such as "a significant workload". The phrase is commonly used to convey the idea of a large workload that requires attention and effort. When using this phrase, it is best to reserve it for genuinely substantial workloads and avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A pile of tasks

Replaces 'work' with 'tasks', emphasizing specific duties rather than overall workload.

A mountain of responsibilities

Uses 'mountain' to indicate a large and potentially overwhelming quantity of responsibilities.

A heavy workload

Focuses on the demanding nature of the work, using 'heavy' to convey the burden.

A large amount of work

More formal and direct, using 'amount' to quantify the work.

Considerable job load

Emphasizes the assigned duties and responsibilities, commonly used in professional contexts.

Substantial assignments

Highlights specific projects or tasks that are assigned, often in academic or professional settings.

Numerous duties

Focuses on the variety and quantity of duties to be performed.

Overflowing inbox

Metaphorically represents the excessive amount of work, particularly in digital communication contexts.

Never-ending to-do list

Conveys the continuous and seemingly infinite nature of the work needing completion.

Significant undertaking

Highlights the scale and importance of the project or work at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a stack of work" to describe a large amount of tasks or responsibilities. For example, "After the conference, I returned to the office and found "a stack of work" waiting for me".

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

Alternatives include "a pile of tasks", "a mountain of responsibilities", or "a heavy workload". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a stack of work" in formal writing?

While "a stack of work" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a large amount of work" or "considerable job load" may be more suitable for professional or academic contexts.

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

While similar, "a stack of work" suggests a more organized and deliberate arrangement, while "a pile of work" implies a less structured and potentially messier accumulation of tasks.