heaps of soil

USAGE SUMMARY

"heaps of soil" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or significant amount of soil, such as: "We had to move heaps of soil in order to dig the foundation for our house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

For a long time many of them were hidden in plain sight or dismissed as little more than heaps of soil.

The New York Times - Travel

If the mower is not becoming clogged by wading through the heaps of soil then it is bucking and dipping like a boat in a brisk chop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On lawns, moles do not just create absurdly large heaps of soil, they also have underground hollows: these do not collapse like those in the greenhouse but merely sink and become ruts and dips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Samples 1-A and 1-B had low Hg contents (66 and 92 ppb, respectively); these samples were obtained from heaps of soil produced during the construction of the Nara Daibutsu and, therefore, date from just before the mercury-gold gilding of the statue was undertaken.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Separate heaps of soil and vermicompost were made, sieved and mixed so as to make vermicompost application dose to be 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% (Arancon et al. 2004; Zaller 2006) for treatments P 0, P 20, P 40, P 60, P 80 and P 100.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Work with a contractor to have the outside grounds sloped away from your home, or add heaps of soil to the grounds against your home.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Each individual's tunnelling generates its own small spoil heap of soil.

The Guardian

In the process, they throw up little heaps of fine soil, which drives lawn fanatics frantic.

Independent

In cemeteries dotted around the city, it was not uncommon to see heaps of blackened soil studded with decomposing cadaver parts, or bones projecting from freshly turned ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bodies were placed in stone or wooden vaults, over which large mounds of soil were heaped.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is caused either by introduction into the skin or by inhalation of Nocardia asteroides, a normal inhabitant of soil and compost heaps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing quantities of soil, consider the context. Use "heaps of soil" to convey a sense of informal abundance rather than precise measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "heaps of soil" in formal or scientific writing where precise measurements are required. Opt for more objective terms like "cubic meters of soil" or "kilograms of soil" to maintain accuracy and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heaps of soil" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heaps" acts as a quantifier modifying the noun "soil". It describes a significant quantity of soil. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heaps of soil" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a considerable quantity of soil. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's acceptable in written English. While predominantly found in news articles, scientific publications, and wiki-type content, it leans toward informal usage. Remember to choose more precise terminology for formal or technical writing. When you aim to represent soil quantities less precisely, be creative and use terms like "lots of soil", "piles of soil" or "masses of soil".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lots of soil

Replaces "heaps" with "lots", indicating a large quantity of soil.

piles of soil

Substitutes "heaps" with "piles", emphasizing the stacked nature of the soil.

masses of soil

Uses "masses" instead of "heaps", highlighting the bulk of the soil.

loads of soil

Replaces "heaps" with "loads", suggesting a heavy or substantial amount of soil.

mounds of soil

Substitutes "heaps" with "mounds", picturing the soil as small hills.

large quantities of soil

Uses a more formal structure emphasizing the abundance of soil.

significant amount of soil

Replaces "heaps" with a more generic quantifier, focusing on the importance of the quantity.

substantial volume of soil

Focuses on the volumetric measurement of the soil, rather than a simple count.

extensive deposit of soil

Emphasizes the soil as a geological accumulation.

considerable accumulation of soil

Highlights the buildup of soil over time.

FAQs

How can I use "heaps of soil" in a sentence?

You can use "heaps of soil" to describe a large amount of soil, such as, "We needed to move "heaps of soil" to prepare the garden bed."

What's a more formal alternative to "heaps of soil"?

For formal writing, consider using "large quantity of soil", "significant amount of soil", or "substantial volume of soil" instead of "heaps of soil".

Is "heaps of soil" appropriate for scientific writing?

While grammatically correct, "heaps of soil" is generally too informal for scientific writing. Use more precise terms like "measured soil volume" or specify the weight or volume of the soil.

What's the difference between "piles of soil" and "heaps of soil"?

"Piles of soil" and "heaps of soil" are very similar. "Piles" tends to suggest a more organized or deliberately arranged collection, whereas "heaps" can imply a more random or unstructured accumulation.