backlog of repairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backlog of repairs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a list of repairs that need to be completed but have not yet been addressed. Example: "The maintenance team is currently working through a backlog of repairs that have accumulated over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

First, a £240m backlog of repairs to canals, which might deter investors.

The Economist

Mr Cook said City Pool, which has a £3m backlog of repairs, had been a hub of sporting excellence.

Independent

Public housing, with more than $25 billion in a backlog of repairs, is on the verge of collapse.

The New York Times

It has suffered from federal budget cuts and management problems, most notably a years-long backlog of repairs.

The New York Times

It will take the company almost twice that long to work through its backlog of repairs and orders.

The New York Times

Ms. Strachan said she had hoped the agency was beginning to tackle the backlog of repairs and sustainability at the same time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

By yesterday, the company's backlog of repair orders had risen to 78,000 since the strike began on Aug. 6.

The New York Times

In New York City, which has a three-year backlog of repair requests, the effects can be seen in places like Aixa Torres's apartment on the Lower East Side.

The New York Times

A more detailed budget document that The Post obtained last week showed significant cuts to maintenance funds, which would probably exacerbate a backlog of repair work nationwide.

The Washington Post

Many cities rely on reports from drivers or have to manually review video camera imagery to identify potholes — a reactive, rather than proactive, approach that creates a backlog of repair work.

Forbes

However, further severe delays at Ashford caused by the backlog of repair work meant that the boilers had to be supplied by the North British Locomotive Company.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "backlog of repairs", specify the affected area or system (e.g., "backlog of repairs" on the bridge or in the housing complex) to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "backlog of repairs" without quantifying or qualifying the repairs. Instead of saying "the company has a backlog of repairs", specify the type, severity, or estimated cost of the repairs to add clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backlog of repairs" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a collection of maintenance tasks that have accumulated and need attention, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "backlog of repairs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to point out an accumulation of pending maintenance tasks, often highlighting a problem that needs attention. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. For effective use, specify the affected area when using the phrase. Alternatives include "accumulated repairs", "outstanding repairs", or "deferred maintenance", each offering a subtly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulated repairs

Focuses on the accumulation aspect, omitting the sense of being behind schedule.

outstanding repairs

Highlights that the repairs are yet to be addressed or completed.

deferred maintenance

Emphasizes the postponement of maintenance activities.

pending repairs

Stresses that repairs are waiting to be done.

unfinished repairs

Highlights the incomplete nature of the repairs.

outstanding maintenance issues

Broadens the scope to include various maintenance problems.

repair requests pending

Focuses on the requests for repair that have not yet been fulfilled.

accumulated maintenance needs

Highlights the increase in maintenance requirements over time.

unaddressed maintenance

Emphasizes that the maintenance issues have not been dealt with.

delayed repair work

Focuses on the aspect of the repair work being postponed.

FAQs

How do I use "backlog of repairs" in a sentence?

You can use "backlog of repairs" to describe a list of maintenance tasks that need to be completed but have accumulated over time. For example, "The city is struggling with a large "backlog of repairs" on its aging infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "backlog of repairs"?

Alternatives include "accumulated repairs", "outstanding repairs", or "deferred maintenance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "backlog of repairs" imply?

The term "backlog of repairs" suggests that there are more repairs needed than can be addressed promptly, often due to limited resources, time, or manpower. This can lead to further deterioration if not addressed.

Is it better to say "backlog of repairs" or "list of repairs"?

"List of repairs" is a neutral term, while "backlog of repairs" implies that the repairs are overdue or causing problems due to their accumulation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation you're describing.