a substantial backlog of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial backlog of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant amount of work, tasks, or items that are pending or overdue. Example: "The company is currently facing a substantial backlog of orders due to supply chain disruptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

They include "a substantial backlog of pending biotech applications, and bans adopted by individual E.U. member states on biotech products approved at the E.U. level".

The New York Times

The report says the economy should continue to grow because of continued economic gains in New York City, which affect the region, decreased reliance on manufacturing and a substantial backlog of nonresidential construction.

The New York Times

Staff must also accession and process a steady stream of newly acquired materials and a substantial backlog of older materials, as well as prepare for and lead multiple visits to the archive each term by classes of students and groups such as university alumni.

Cornell University

The internal email, sent in late September and uncovered by Channel 4's Dispatches as part of an investigation into UC to air on Monday evening, appears to show that one of the 60 centres where the scheme has been rolled out is generating such a substantial backlog of claims, centre staff will have to work three times more than their limit to clear it.

The Guardian

The extra money will finance more rebuilding; the region still carries a substantial backlog of storm damage.

Huffington Post

As in the case of the [Afghan security forces], DOD also has a substantial backlog of war-related procurement that remains to be spent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This has created a substantial backlog and as of January 2005 there were thousands of application in cue waiting for NHPD assessment.

BMC Health Services Research

Victims of cyber crime are refusing to hand over their computers to police for analysis because a substantial backlog means that they could be deprived of them for months.

Independent

The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a special session in July in an effort to reduce its substantial backlog of cases, Chief Justice Malcolm M. Lucas announced Tuesday.

Los Angeles Times

The early spring has provided a window of opportunity to catch up on the substantial backlog of autumn ploughing.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The substantial backlog of flights is going to mean massive disruption for weeks to come, but there have been no detailed public statements of how this will be handled.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial backlog of", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific items or tasks are backlogged. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a substantial backlog of" without providing concrete evidence. Quantify the impact whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial backlog of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase functioning as a pre-modifier to a noun. It indicates a significant quantity of something that is delayed or pending. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial backlog of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant accumulation of pending items or tasks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "a considerable accumulation of", it is essential to use the phrase precisely, providing context and avoiding exaggeration to maintain clarity and credibility. Use it to highlight the size of pending items, suggesting a noteworthy amount that requires attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a backlog of considerable size

Alters the structure slightly to emphasize the size of the backlog.

a significant accumulation of

Similar to considerable, emphasizes the importance of the accumulation.

a considerable accumulation of

Replaces 'backlog' with 'accumulation,' emphasizing the gathering of items.

a sizable accumulation of

Uses 'sizable' to indicate the size of the accumulation, implying substantial quantity.

a noteworthy accumulation of

Uses 'noteworthy' to denote importance and size of backlog.

a large number of pending items

Rephrases the idea, focusing on 'pending items' instead of 'backlog'.

a substantial volume of pending matters

Uses 'volume' to refer the size and 'pending matters' instead of backlog.

a significant quantity of outstanding tasks

Emphasizes the 'outstanding tasks' aspect, focusing on the work to be done.

a considerable number of unresolved issues

Focuses on the 'unresolved issues,' shifting the emphasis from tasks to problems.

a major pile-up of

Employs 'pile-up' as a more informal, visual term for a backlog.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial backlog of" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial backlog of" to describe a large accumulation of pending items or tasks, such as "The department is facing "a substantial backlog of" applications due to recent policy changes".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial backlog of"?

Alternatives include "a considerable accumulation of", "a significant quantity of", or "a large number of pending items" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a large backlog of" or "a substantial backlog of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Substantial" suggests a more significant or impactful quantity than simply "large".

What kind of situations typically lead to "a substantial backlog of" something?

Situations that can create "a substantial backlog of" include increased demand, staff shortages, system failures, or policy changes that slow down processing.