heaps of trash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heaps of trash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of waste or refuse, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After the festival, there were heaps of trash left behind, making the cleanup a daunting task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Its strewn heaps of trash were extreme, even for Russia.

The New Yorker

They have pulled down barns and sheds and cleared away heaps of trash.

The New York Times

Those heaps of trash are "damaging the image of tourism in Italy," Marco Michielli, president of the Veneto tourism association, told the news agency ANSA.

The New York Times

Then almost immediately we were coming up on Yekaterinburg, considered the westernmost Siberian city; here the road did one of its quick-change acts to become a crowded and roaring multilane highway with furniture-store billboards alongside, and broken-down vehicles, and extra-large heaps of trash, and stooped figures poking through the heaps with old umbrella handles.

The New Yorker

Yesterday, the last day of Ramadan, shops and a few cafes reopened in the streets around the city; volunteers were busy sweeping up the accumulated heaps of trash that had made Tripoli a rank, foul place just a few days earlier.

The New Yorker

In several areas, the graves are either hidden behind trees and weeds or next to heaps of trash.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They are images of destruction: collapsed houses, the flayed carcasses of slain cows, a dead dog on a heap of trash.

The New York Times - Arts

A bomb hidden in a heap of trash killed seven people and wounded 28 others at a commemoration in Diyala Province, north of Baghdad.

The New York Times

She fell instead into a heap of trash, somehow missing aluminum garbage cans, discarded furniture and other debris, landing on a huge mattress that someone had left there.

The New York Times

In the shopping district, groups of mostly young people held up a bloodstained T-shirt and threw baby diapers into a heap of trash to protest working conditions in developing countries.

The New York Times

A subplot of the show is design's role in helping us to deal with them: from the surprisingly sophisticated drains, cesspools and sewers of ancient Babylon, to the heap of trash on the (aptly named) Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, New York, that grew to be taller than the Statue of Liberty.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environmental issues or the aftermath of events, use "heaps of trash" to vividly illustrate the scale of waste. It adds impact compared to more neutral terms.

Common error

Avoid using "heaps of trash" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "significant waste accumulation" or "substantial refuse deposits" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heaps of trash" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It is used to describe a significant quantity of discarded materials, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heaps of trash" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe a large quantity of waste. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the register is generally considered neutral, making it suitable for news and general-interest contexts. However, for formal or academic writing, more precise terms like "significant waste accumulation" may be preferred. Its primary function is to vividly illustrate the scale of waste, drawing attention to environmental or post-event conditions. The related phrases offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis, providing writers with options to tailor their language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piles of garbage

Synonymous, but 'garbage' is a more general term for waste.

mountains of rubbish

'Mountains' implies a larger quantity; 'rubbish' is more common in British English.

loads of waste

'Loads' suggests a large quantity, and 'waste' is a broader term than trash.

accumulations of refuse

More formal and emphasizes the gathering of unwanted material.

collections of litter

'Litter' refers to scattered waste, often in public places.

masses of debris

'Debris' often refers to the remains of something destroyed or broken up.

large quantities of garbage

A more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

significant amounts of waste

A formal and neutral alternative, suitable for professional contexts.

big piles of refuse

Use of "big" instead of "heaps" with the word "refuse".

considerable amounts of litter

Similar to 'large quantities', but emphasizing the scattered nature of the waste.

FAQs

What does "heaps of trash" mean?

The phrase "heaps of trash" refers to a large quantity or accumulation of discarded items or waste material. It suggests a considerable amount of garbage piled together.

What can I say instead of "heaps of trash"?

You can use alternatives like "piles of garbage", "mountains of rubbish", or "loads of waste" depending on the context.

Is "heaps of trash" formal or informal?

"Heaps of trash" is generally considered an informal phrase. In formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives such as "significant waste accumulation" or "substantial refuse deposits".

How do I use "heaps of trash" in a sentence?

You can use "heaps of trash" to describe a large amount of waste in a particular location. For example: "After the concert, there were "piles of garbage" everywhere."