backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backlog" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an accumulation of tasks, orders, or items that need to be addressed or completed, often in a business or project management context. Example: "Due to the recent surge in demand, we now have a significant backlog of orders that need to be processed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latest statistics from Strasbourg also show that the court's massive backlog of applications has fallen sharply again, down 30% over the year to 69,000.

The Guardian

In the letter, leaked to the Financial Times, Varoufakis said the backlog of tax arrears in Greece stood at €76bn (£55but, buthatat only €8bn of this was probably recoverable.

The Guardian

This is one reason why Irish Aid is spending part of its €2.1m (£1.7m) investment on Saturday courts around the country to deal exclusively with women, as part of a bid to reduce the backlog of cases.

The Guardian

The worries it and investors felt, should have been eradicated with a new record backlog and an assertion from the company that the margin degradation embedded within in it is small.

The Guardian - Business

We're fixing our billing issues and clearing even more of the backlog of late bills.

The Guardian - Business

In June alone we reduced our late bill backlog down to 231,000 customers, received 10% fewer complaints and also cut our complaints backlog by 27%.

The Guardian - Business

The inspection in September 2014 also found a backlog of child protection cases on the police database shared with Nottinghamshire county council's social care services.

The Guardian

But if these come through, as the company maintains, then we see little reason the backlog will not ensure strong growth.

The Guardian - Business

Goldman Sachs said: In our view, there is some read-across [from the Saipem warning] to other offshore and onshore engineering and construction companies in the sector as the weaker outlook at least in part reflects a competitive bidding environment during a period of strong backlog build for many companies.

The Guardian - Business

On Thursday delivery firm Yodel also admitted to problems with a backlog of deliveries and temporarily halted pick-ups from retailers.

The Guardian - Business

It hopes to bring the backlog under control within three years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "backlog" in technical or project management contexts, clearly quantify the size of the backlog to give stakeholders a sense of the scale of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "backlog" as a generic term for any kind of delay. It specifically refers to an accumulation. If it's a one-time delay, choose a different term.

Linguistic Context

The word "backlog" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an accumulation of tasks, orders, or items awaiting completion. Ludwig's examples show it commonly used to describe challenges in processing applications, managing workloads, and resolving issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "backlog" is a common and grammatically sound noun used to describe an accumulation of tasks, orders, or unresolved issues. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, the writing guidance suggests quantifying the backlog when possible and avoiding its use for one-time delays. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, with choices like "accumulation of work" and "outstanding tasks" providing nuanced substitutes. The high expert rating reflects its consistent and appropriate use in various professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulation of work

Focuses on the collected tasks rather than the delay implied by "backlog".

outstanding tasks

Emphasizes tasks that remain to be completed.

unprocessed items

Highlights items that have not yet been processed or dealt with.

pending workload

Refers to the amount of work waiting to be done.

arrears

Implies a debt or obligation that is overdue.

pile-up

Suggests a chaotic accumulation, often used in less formal contexts.

bottleneck

Indicates a point of congestion or obstruction causing delays.

inventory surplus

Refers specifically to an excess of goods in stock.

remaining obligations

Stresses the unfulfilled duties or commitments.

historical debt

Indicates accumulated debt from previous years.

FAQs

How to use "backlog" in a sentence?

You can use "backlog" to describe an accumulation of tasks, orders, or cases that need to be processed. For example: "The company is working hard to reduce its "accumulation of work"."

What can I say instead of "backlog"?

You can use alternatives like "outstanding tasks", "unprocessed items", or "pending workload" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "backlog" or "arrears"?

"Backlog" refers to a general accumulation, while "arrears" specifically refers to overdue debts or payments. Use "arrears" when discussing financial obligations.

What's the difference between "backlog" and "bottleneck"?

"Backlog" is the accumulation itself, while "bottleneck" is the point in a process that causes the accumulation. A bottleneck leads to a backlog.