heaps of waste

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Twenty-three heaps of waste and 13 mining dumps have been identified.

The New York Times

A narrow scramble, no wider than a sheep track, edged over the heaps of waste rock towards a larch wood within a ferny, stone wall.

The Guardian

A recent surge in the price of uranium prompted two Australian companies, Uran and Wildhorse, to test the viability of squeezing small amounts of uranium from the enormous heaps of waste rock that dot the landscape around Pribram.

The New York Times

This morning, a garbage truck plied the streets of Chiaia, an upscale neighborhood of Naples, to collect the mammoth heaps of waste not far from the Giorgio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna boutiques.

The New York Times

Calling herself "an environmentalist who loves to party," Doubilet saw the heaps of waste that could quickly accumulate at gatherings where her music and dance groups performed around New York City.

The Guardian

The environment was characterised by heaps of waste material, dust and mud and this could be the source of the spores which are carried into the atmosphere and into the product.

International Journal of Food Contamination

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Approaching the tip's entrance, a guy in a security booth turned to me and joked, "You come here to shut it down?" I wish I had, it was clear that the site was no longer in operation, just left to stand and house the gigantic heap of waste.

Vice

If not then save us all a heap of wasted effort and just carry on doing unto us.

The Guardian

Several precious metals may be easily recovered from large heap of wastes containing metal salts.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This study discovers and surveys sites left by former Zn Pb mining in western Małopolska (S Poland), focusing on old heaps of mining waste rock located in agricultural land and suburban wasteland.

Geoderma

Heaps of coal waste dot the landscape among crumbling mine buildings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heaps of waste", consider your audience and the context. It's suitable for informal writing or speech. For formal documents, opt for more precise terms like "large quantities of refuse" or "significant volume of discarded materials".

Common error

Avoid using "heaps of waste" in academic papers, business reports, or official communications. The phrase is too informal and can undermine the credibility of your writing. Use professional alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heaps of waste" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heaps" acts as a quantifier specifying a large quantity of "waste". Ludwig AI confirms this through the provided examples, where it is used to describe physical accumulations of discarded materials.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

47%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heaps of waste" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a large quantity of discarded materials. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it functions as a noun phrase, typically used in informal contexts like news reports or general descriptions. While the phrase is acceptable, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives, such as "large quantities of refuse", in professional or academic settings. Be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between "heaps of waste" and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountains of garbage

Uses "mountains" to emphasize the large quantity and "garbage" as a common synonym for "waste".

piles of rubbish

Substitutes "heaps" with "piles" and "waste" with the British English term "rubbish".

tons of trash

Replaces "heaps" with "tons" to indicate a large weight or quantity, and "waste" with "trash".

large amount of refuse

Replaces "heaps" with a more formal "large amount" and "waste" with the synonym "refuse".

large accumulation of garbage

Replaces "heaps" with "large accumulation" and "waste" with "garbage", indicating a build-up over time.

vast quantities of refuse

Emphasizes the scale using "vast quantities" and employs the formal term "refuse".

abundance of debris

Uses "abundance" to denote a large quantity and "debris" as a synonym implying scattered remnants.

substantial accumulation of discarded items

Replaces "heaps" with "substantial accumulation" and "waste" with "discarded items", making it sound less harsh.

significant volume of discarded material

A more formal and technical alternative, replacing "heaps" with "significant volume" and "waste" with "discarded material".

extensive collection of waste matter

A more descriptive and formal alternative, highlighting the scope and nature of the waste.

FAQs

What does "heaps of waste" mean?

The phrase "heaps of waste" refers to a large quantity or accumulation of discarded or unwanted materials, often implying a disorganized or unsightly collection.

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

You can use alternatives like "large amount of refuse", "mountains of garbage", or "piles of rubbish" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "heaps of waste" formal or informal?

"Heaps of waste" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal settings, it is better to use alternatives such as "significant volume of discarded material" or "substantial accumulation of waste".

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

You might say, "After the concert, there were "heaps of waste" scattered across the park", or "The old factory site contained "heaps of waste" from years of industrial production".