enormous backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enormous backlog" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large accumulation of tasks, requests, or items that need to be addressed or processed. Example: "Due to the recent surge in orders, we are currently facing an enormous backlog that will take several weeks to clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

For some, like troubled eToys, disappointing holiday traffic created an enormous backlog of inventory.

The New York Times - Tech

Visas can be obtained under other programs, but an enormous backlog of interpreters still waits to receive an answer.

The New York Times

And an enormous backlog of legislative issues awaits attention, including increasing public-sector pay and overhauling the electricity sector.

The New Yorker

And prices are expected to keep sagging under the weight of an enormous backlog of unsold homes.

The New York Times

Many of Lazarus's tired and poor may today be found in immigrant detention facilities, part of an enormous backlog of deportation cases that grows larger by the day.

The New York Times

As The Times reported on Sunday, the V.A. is under increasing pressure to do something about its enormous backlog of disability claims — more than 600,000 in all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

While the office's conviction rate has grown under Mr. Howard, himself a former assistant district attorney, many judges are exasperated by their enormous backlogs.

The New York Times

Instead of detaining families, the US government should focus on improving the fairness and efficiency of the legal immigration legal system (which has glacially slow proceedings and enormous backlogs).

The Guardian - Opinion

Generous room sizes, eat-in kitchens and light and air characterize the interior layouts of many public housing apartments, now facing enormous repair backlogs and other serious problems.

The New York Times

To get more new ideas into the marketplace faster, let's give the Patent and Trademark Office the tools it needs -- primarily differential fees for faster service, but with special breaks for small business and individual inventors -- to cut down the enormous and growing backlog of patent applications.

Huffington Post

Risk estimates still have a fair amount of uncertainty, however, and the traditional risk assessment approach is too cumbersome to effectively evaluate the enormous and growing backlog of untested chemicals.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a backlog, be specific about what kind of items are backlogged (e.g., orders, applications, repairs) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "enormous backlog" without quantifying the scale or impact of the backlog. Saying there's an "enormous backlog" is less effective than saying there's an "enormous backlog of 5,000 unprocessed applications, delaying approvals by several months".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enormous backlog" functions as a noun phrase where "enormous" modifies "backlog", describing the size or scale of the accumulation. It is commonly used to denote a significant accumulation of pending tasks, requests, or items, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enormous backlog" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a large accumulation of pending tasks or items. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While "enormous backlog" is widely understood, providing specific details about the type and scale of the backlog can improve clarity. Related phrases like "substantial waiting list" or "extensive queue" can be used as alternatives, depending on the context. Remember to provide further information when using the phrase, in order to prevent possible vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

massive accumulation of unprocessed tasks

Using the words 'massive' and 'unprocessed' to indicate the work is pending.

huge volume of outstanding requests

Volume emphasizes a large quantity of things. Outstanding signifies that the request is pending.

substantial waiting list

Replaces 'backlog' with 'waiting list', emphasizing the aspect of waiting. 'Substantial' maintains the sense of size.

large number of pending cases

Specifically refers to cases awaiting resolution, maintaining the 'large' descriptor.

extensive list of pending items

Swaps backlog for an extensive list.

extensive queue

Substitutes 'backlog' with 'queue', highlighting an ordered line of items or tasks, 'extensive' keeps the magnitude.

overwhelming number of unresolved problems

Replaces backlog with unresolved problems.

significant accumulation

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for a large buildup.

considerable inventory surplus

Implies an excess of items, framing the backlog as an oversupply rather than a queue.

unmanageable number of duties

Replace backlog with the word duties that need to be managed.

FAQs

How can I use "enormous backlog" in a sentence?

You can use "enormous backlog" to describe a large accumulation of pending tasks, items, or requests. For example, "The company is struggling to manage its "enormous backlog" of customer orders."

What are some alternatives to saying "enormous backlog"?

Alternatives include "substantial waiting list", "extensive queue", or "significant accumulation", depending on the context.

Is it better to quantify the "enormous backlog" with a specific number?

Yes, quantifying the "enormous backlog" with specific data provides a clearer picture of the magnitude of the issue. For example, instead of saying "enormous backlog", specify "a backlog of 10,000 unprocessed applications".

What kind of situations typically involve an "enormous backlog"?

"Enormous backlogs" are common in situations where demand exceeds capacity, such as customer orders, legal cases, or maintenance requests. For example, the court system may have an "enormous backlog" of cases due to understaffing and increased litigation.