backlog of proposals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backlog of proposals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection of pending proposals that have not yet been addressed or processed. Example: "Due to the high volume of requests, we currently have a significant backlog of proposals that need to be reviewed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A party aide described the decision as a routine effort to clear a backlog of proposals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Bush argues that the terminals can be protected and that surging demand for gasoline makes it imperative that a backlog of 32 proposals for new terminals be cleared.

The New York Times

Grants staff members at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who came back to work yesterday after the 16-day government shutdown ended will now need to catch up on a backlog of research proposals and canceled peer-review meetings.

Science Magazine

The idea, which has been used infrequently over the last three decades, has gained reinvigorated currency recently as the Board of Education has developed a growing backlog of new school proposals.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the agency had a growing backlog of stalled spending proposals generally supported by the two states -- for new cranes, development of Howland Hook as a container port on Staten Island, and the lease or sale of the Port Authority-owned Newark Legal Center.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama offered a familiar list of proposals: tightening security on borders, cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and temporarily issuing more visas to clear the huge backlog of people applying for legal status in the country.

The New York Times

This means that small proposals get held up indefinitely, as agencies face a backlog of submissions.

The New York Times

Critics of the proposal are worried that excusing offenses to clear the backlog of open warrants could lead to a higher crime rate and more serious crimes.

Huffington Post

According to an outline of the Fix America's Schools Today proposal, the nation's roughly 100,000 public schools confront a backlog of deferred maintenance projects that reaches $270 billion, meaning this money could quickly be absorbed and put to use.

Huffington Post

A council of mayors and other leaders there was outraged, he said, to learn that one state proposal would send millions to the Massachusetts Turnpike rather than what he considers a backlog of local road and bridge projects.

The New York Times

The Department for Work and Pensions said the ESA proposals were not government policy, but that they reflected ministers' search for a solution to the backlog of claims for ESA and its higher than forecast cost.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "backlog of proposals", ensure the context clearly indicates which proposals are being referred to and why there is a delay in addressing them. Provide specific numbers or categories of proposals to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "backlog of proposals" vaguely. Instead of saying "the department has a backlog of proposals", specify the type of proposals (e.g., "research proposals", "budget proposals") and the reason for the backlog (e.g., "due to staffing shortages").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backlog of proposals" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It denotes a quantity of proposals that are awaiting attention or processing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "backlog of proposals" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that refers to an accumulation of pending proposals, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While fairly common, it is best used with specific context to clarify the type and reason for the backlog. Alternatives like "accumulation of proposals", "pile of proposals", and "queue of proposals" can be used to add nuance. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, typically carrying a neutral to professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulation of proposals

Replaces "backlog" with "accumulation", emphasizing the gathering of proposals over time.

pile of proposals

Uses "pile" instead of "backlog", suggesting a disorganized collection of proposals.

queue of proposals

Substitutes "backlog" with "queue", implying an ordered waiting line of proposals.

inventory of proposals

Replaces "backlog" with "inventory", highlighting a list of proposals yet to be processed.

outstanding proposals

Uses "outstanding" to emphasize that the proposals are unresolved or pending.

unprocessed proposals

Focuses on the lack of processing rather than the accumulation itself.

pending proposals

Highlights the 'pending' or waiting status of the proposals.

delayed proposals

Emphasizes the delay in handling the proposals.

unaddressed proposals

Stresses the lack of attention or action taken on the proposals.

unresolved proposals

Highlights that the proposals have not yet been settled or finalized.

FAQs

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

You can use "backlog of proposals" to describe a situation where there's an accumulation of pending proposals that haven't been addressed yet. For example: "The committee is working to reduce the "backlog of proposals" before the end of the quarter."

What's a good alternative to "backlog of proposals"?

Alternatives include "accumulation of proposals", "pile of proposals", or "queue of proposals", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "backlog in proposals" or "backlog of proposals"?

"Backlog of proposals" is generally preferred. "Backlog in proposals" isn't as idiomatic and might sound awkward. "Backlog of proposals" clearly indicates a collection of pending items.

What does "clearing a backlog of proposals" mean?

Clearing a "backlog of proposals" means processing and addressing the accumulated pending proposals, reducing or eliminating the delay in their review and decision-making.