heap of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heap of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large, disorganized collection of written correspondence or text, often implying a sense of clutter or confusion. Example: "After returning from vacation, I found a heap of letters waiting for me on my desk, most of which were bills and junk mail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

My bank seems to write to me on a daily basis, and when you have several accounts, a heap of letters soon gathers.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And heaps of letters from Heller and the producers, just frothing with excitement".

The Guardian - Books

One missive came in the form of baseboard molding, covered with $2.70 in stamps and a scrawl urging the president to "Fix housing 1st!" Heaps of letters offer advice on the best treats for the first dog, Bo, and people have sent in colorful dog sweaters.

The New York Times

He found a heap of family letters, many going back to the Wars of the Roses three centuries earlier, and, as he wrote to the late Earl's executors, "of good consequence in history".

The Guardian - Books

But the vandals of language, those who would bulldoze its ancestral elegance into a heap of four-letter rubble, need no assistance.

The Economist

Allegedly, Pearl White received heaps of fan letters from all over the world every day.

Columbia University

Every holiday season, thousands of New Yorkers trooped to Manhattan's main post office and sifted through heaps of dream-encased letters that children had scribbled to the big guy at the North Pole.

The New York Times

And I did the sensible thing – I got hideously in debt and ended up with a pile of interest, late fees, threatening letters and a heap of massive stress.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the C 1 part of the criteria, under letters a-g, a heap of phenomena are listed, such as: forehead/facial sweating and sensation of fullness in the ear.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

And letters, lots of letters.

The New York Times

After a heap of stones, each one branded with a different letter, is dumped onto the stage, Ms. Katrandjieva and Ms. Bevelander make their way through the alphabet by naming different words that start with each letter.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heap of letters" to vividly describe a disorganized and substantial collection of letters. This is appropriate when you want to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by the volume.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "heap of letters" may be perceived as too informal for business or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "collection of correspondence" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heap of letters" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English, generally describing a large quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heap of letters" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a substantial number of letters, often suggesting a degree of disorganization or being overwhelmed by the quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While suitable for general communication and news reporting, more formal situations might call for alternatives like "collection of correspondence". Its primary function is descriptive, with its usage spanning across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia. When employing this phrase, consider the level of formality required and whether the connotation of disarray aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of correspondence

Replaces "heap" with "pile" and "letters" with the more formal "correspondence".

mountain of letters

Emphasizes the large quantity using "mountain" instead of "heap".

accumulation of letters

Uses a more formal term, "accumulation", to describe the collection.

large number of letters

Provides a more literal description, focusing on quantity.

collection of letters

A general term that simply indicates multiple letters gathered together.

batch of letters

Suggests a group of letters processed or received at the same time.

mass of letters

Similar to "heap" but can suggest a less organized collection.

quantity of letters

Focuses on the amount of letters present.

abundance of letters

Indicates a plentiful supply of letters.

backlog of letters

Implies that the letters need attention or processing.

FAQs

What does "heap of letters" mean?

The phrase "heap of letters" refers to a large, often disorganized, collection of letters. It suggests a substantial quantity, possibly implying that the letters are overwhelming or require attention.

What can I say instead of "heap of letters"?

You can use alternatives like "pile of correspondence", "mountain of letters", or "collection of letters" depending on the context.

Is "heap of letters" formal or informal?

The phrase "heap of letters" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using "accumulation of correspondence" or a similar, more professional-sounding alternative.

How do I use "heap of letters" in a sentence?

You can use "heap of letters" in a sentence like, "After being away for a month, I returned home to a heap of letters waiting on my doorstep."