backlog of applicants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backlog of applicants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where there are many applicants waiting to be processed or considered for a position or opportunity. Example: "Due to the high volume of applications received, we currently have a significant backlog of applicants that we are working to review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But with a growing backlog of applicants, grants under the program would be even harder to obtain, he said.

The New York Times

As laid out by Erik Eckholm in The Times on Monday, the backlog of applicants who are awaiting a decision after appealing an initial rejection has soared to 755,000 from 311,000 in 2000.

The New York Times

The minutes show the firearms lobby groups putting forward a range of views on the reduction of restrictions to firearms including: Field and Game Australia expressed concerns to the minister about a recent change in South Australia requiring police approval to join a gun club, which they say has created a "backlog of applicants".

The Guardian

Later an agency spokesman said the system was "back up and running" but there would be "a small backlog of applicants to clear".

BBC

As a result of this limited number, there is an enormous backlog of applicants from some countries that some say may take decades to clear.

Forbes

The current green card approval process has a massive backlog of applicants from India and China, two of the biggest exporters of international students to the U.S. The proposed bill H.R. 1044, also known as the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, would seek to alleviate this backlog by removing the per-country limit on green cards.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Megan J. Ingmire, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Health Policy Authority, which runs the state Medicaid program, said the waiting time for applicants had increased because of a "huge backlog" of applications.

The New York Times

The agency was working through a backlog of 1,929 applicants as of Thursday.

The New York Times

In fact, Dubai has become so desirable that there is now a slight backlog of job applicants.

The New York Times

He's been waiting for about 20 years, however, due to a massive backlog of other applicants.

The Guardian - Opinion

A12 Visa Policy Creating Ill Will A new policy requiring that officials in Washington approve visas for every man 16 to 45 from certain countries in the Middle East and elsewhere has created a huge backlog of visa applicants, American officials said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the size or scope of the "backlog of applicants" with quantitative data (e.g., "a backlog of over 5,000 applicants") to provide a more precise understanding of the situation.

Common error

Do not use "backlog of applicants" when you simply mean there are many applicants. A backlog specifically implies a delay or obstruction in processing those applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backlog of applicants" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific situation involving a large number of applications that are awaiting processing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "backlog of applicants" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a situation where there is a significant number of applications awaiting processing, implying a delay or bottleneck. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the type of application and, if possible, quantifying the size of the backlog. Alternative phrases include "applicant queue" or "application pileup". While grammatically correct and generally accepted, avoid using it loosely when a simple "many applicants" would suffice. The phrase is most often found in neutral and professional registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

applicant queue

Focuses on the image of a queue, highlighting the waiting aspect.

application pileup

Emphasizes the accumulation of applications.

pending applicants

Highlights the state of being unprocessed.

unprocessed applications

Focuses on the applications themselves and their status.

large number of applicants awaiting review

A more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the review process.

extensive list of candidates

Replaces 'applicants' with 'candidates' and 'backlog' with 'extensive list'.

accumulation of applications

Highlights the increasing number of applications.

surplus of applicants

Focuses on the excess number of applicants.

glut of applications

Uses 'glut' to indicate an oversupply of applications.

logjam of applicants

Uses 'logjam' to convey a sense of blockage and difficulty in processing.

FAQs

What does "backlog of applicants" mean?

A "backlog of applicants" refers to a situation where there is a large number of applications that have not yet been processed or reviewed, causing delays in the application process.

How can I address a "backlog of applicants" in my organization?

Strategies include streamlining the application process, allocating additional resources to application review, and improving communication with "prospective candidates" about expected processing times.

What are some alternative ways to describe a "backlog of applicants"?

You can use phrases like "application queue", "large number of "pending applications"", or "unprocessed applications" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "backlog of applications" instead of "backlog of applicants"?

While both phrases are related, "backlog of applications" refers to the unprocessed applications themselves, whereas "backlog of applicants" emphasizes the individuals whose applications are delayed.