big backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'big backlog' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which there is an accumulation of tasks or obligations which have not been completed or addressed in a timely manner. For example, "The company had a big backlog of customer requests that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

There also isn't a big backlog of leveraged debt deals to tax investor demand.

The New York Times

While new jet sales may be slowing, there is still a big backlog of plane orders.

The New York Times

A moratorium, only recently lifted, on initial public offerings on mainland exchanges has led to a big backlog of IPOs.

The Economist

First, RFF has taken on huge debts in building the country's impressive high-speed rail network, while letting a big backlog of maintenance build up on local lines.

The Economist

And because so many businesses depend on nature, short-term stripping of its assets is accumulating a big backlog of risk for investors.

The Guardian

Bond dealers said they were still trying to work off a big backlog of long-term bonds left over from last week's $37 billion Treasury refinancing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We've got big backlogs of orders.

The New York Times

They also said they were constrained by big backlogs on applications for employment-based green cards, which offer permanent residency to sponsored workers.

The New York Times

The immigration courts always have had big backlogs, and the backlogs have continued to grow.

Huffington Post

"The servicers will start working through those big backlogs of foreclosed homes … and that will put downward pressure on home prices," said Celia Chen, a housing economist atMoody'sAnalytics.

Los Angeles Times

Nearly four million households nationwide are severely delinquent on their mortgages, the biggest backlog since the housing crisis began.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "big backlog", consider specifying what type of items are backlogged (e.g., "big backlog of orders", "big backlog of maintenance") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "big backlog" without clarifying what is backlogged. For instance, instead of saying "The department has a big backlog", specify "The department has a big backlog of unprocessed applications."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big backlog" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "backlog". It describes the quantity or size of the backlog. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big backlog" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to describe a significant accumulation of unfinished tasks or unfulfilled requests. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business and science. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the backlogged items. Alternatives like ""substantial backlog"" or ""significant backlog"" may offer more formal or nuanced options. Remember that this phrase emphasizes quantity and problem related to the managed workload.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial backlog

Replaces "big" with a more formal synonym, "substantial", while keeping the same structure.

significant backlog

Substitutes "big" with "significant", implying importance and size.

large accumulation

Replaces "backlog" with "accumulation" and "big" with "large", focusing on the gathering aspect.

extensive waiting list

Emphasizes the waiting aspect and uses "extensive" to describe the size of the list.

considerable delay

Focuses on the delay caused by the backlog, using "considerable" to indicate its extent.

huge pile-up

Uses a more informal term, "pile-up", to describe the accumulation.

massive accumulation of orders

Adds specificity by mentioning "orders" and uses "massive" to describe the size.

serious build-up

Emphasizes the severity of the build-up, implying potential negative consequences.

notable outstanding volume

Focuses on the volume of outstanding items, using "notable" to highlight its significance.

pronounced accumulation

Substitutes "big" with "pronounced", emphasizing the noticeable quality of the accumulation.

FAQs

What does "big backlog" mean?

The phrase "big backlog" refers to a significant accumulation of tasks, projects, orders, or items that need to be processed or completed. It suggests a situation where demand or incoming volume exceeds capacity, leading to delays and unfulfilled obligations.

What can I say instead of "big backlog"?

You can use alternatives like "substantial backlog", "significant backlog", or "large accumulation" depending on the context.

How do I use "big backlog" in a sentence?

You can use "big backlog" to describe various situations. For example, "The company is struggling with a big backlog of customer orders", or "The government is trying to reduce a big backlog of visa applications".

Is it better to say "bigger backlog" or "big backlog"?

Both "bigger backlog" and "big backlog" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Bigger backlog" implies a comparison, suggesting the backlog is larger than it was previously or larger than another backlog. "Big backlog" simply describes the backlog as being large without making a direct comparison.