heap of potatoes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heap of potatoes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large, disorganized pile of potatoes, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "At the farmer's market, I found a heap of potatoes that looked fresh and ready for cooking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Made by Ciprian Muresan, a Romanian artist, it shows five soldiers "resigned to the mundane task of peeling a giant heap of potatoes," according to Mr. Price.

The New York Times

Okra, quickly sautéed in a thick mixture of tomatoes, onion, garlic and kokum (a sour Indian fruit), has an unusual silken quality, while the dosai arrive looking like lacy tents: peek underneath and you find a heap of potatoes spiked with cilantro.

The New York Times - Arts

And what was billed as a "Hungarian goose feast" was precisely that: a plate overflowing with goose drumstick and thigh (wonderfully crackly skin and succulent meat), a slab of foie gras (overcooked), a mound of delectable braised red cabbage and a deliciously homey heap of potatoes cooked with onion and paprika.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon and divide among the heaps of potato.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tender, luscious forkfuls of deep dark meat, served over a heap of mashed potatoes, they are reason enough to brave the elbows of the chic crowd.

The New York Times

For over 40 years, the Stove has served hearty meals like the Sierra Sunrise (a heap of fried potatoes, peppers, onions and ham topped with eggs and cheese for $9.95).

The New York Times - Travel

Astrophysicists who study the behavior of globular star clusters -- dense masses of a million or so stars that are scattered through galaxies like so many lumps in a heap of mashed potatoes -- need a graphics card of their own.

The New York Times - Tech

Served straight out of a braising dish they make a hearty home-style meal, with nothing needed besides a heap of mashed potatoes to soak up the cooking juices.

The New York Times - Food

On the plate, the influence of France, an hour or so away through the Channel Tunnel, is clear in dishes like a terrine of goose foie gras and a confit of duck served on a heap of mashed potatoes lightly flavored with Meaux mustard.

The New York Times - Food

She drew my attention to the occasional habit of the O.E.D.'s editors of writing definitions that lumped together startlingly disparate items, like the one for bing, which states that it may describe a heap of corn, potatoes, stones, earth or dead bodies.

The New York Times - Magazine

My father restored our faith in the banger now and again by making a fine sausage stew accompanied by a great heap of mashed potato and a healthy dollop of Dijon mustard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heap of potatoes" when you want to convey a somewhat disorganized or casual presentation of a large quantity of potatoes. It suggests a more rustic or home-style setting.

Common error

Avoid using "heap of potatoes" in formal contexts, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "large quantity of potatoes" or "substantial portion of potatoes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heap of potatoes" functions as a noun phrase, where "heap" serves as the head noun and "of potatoes" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. It is used to describe a significant quantity of potatoes, as confirmed by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heap of potatoes" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a large quantity of potatoes. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is correct and the phrase is effective in conveying a visual of a plentiful amount of potatoes. While it may not be suitable for overly formal contexts, it is perfectly acceptable in general conversation and descriptive writing, particularly in relation to food or rustic settings. Alternatives such as "pile of potatoes" or "mound of potatoes" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of potatoes

Changes the word "heap" to "pile", maintaining the meaning of a collection of potatoes.

mound of potatoes

Replaces "heap" with "mound", suggesting a neatly arranged pile.

mountain of potatoes

Substitutes "heap" with "mountain", emphasizing a very large quantity.

abundance of potatoes

Uses "abundance" to convey a plentiful supply of potatoes.

large quantity of potatoes

More formal way of expressing a large amount of potatoes.

generous serving of potatoes

Focuses on the portion size, implying a large serving.

plentiful portion of potatoes

Similar to generous, but emphasizes the sufficiency of the portion.

substantial amount of potatoes

Indicates a significant quantity of potatoes.

big batch of potatoes

Implies potatoes prepared together in a single cooking session.

mass of potatoes

Highlights the collective bulk of potatoes.

FAQs

How can I use "heap of potatoes" in a sentence?

You can use "heap of potatoes" to describe a large pile of potatoes, like "The farmer displayed a large "pile of potatoes" at the market, almost like a "heap of potatoes".

What's a more formal way to say "heap of potatoes"?

More formal alternatives to "heap of potatoes" include "large quantity of potatoes", "substantial amount of potatoes", or "generous portion of potatoes". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "heap of potatoes" grammatically correct?

Yes, "heap of potatoes" is grammatically correct. It's a common phrase used to describe a sizable, often unorganized, collection of potatoes.

What other foods can I describe as a "heap"?

You can use "heap" to describe other foods that can be piled up, like a "heap of vegetables", a "heap of rice", or even a "heap of fries".