immense backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense backlog" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large accumulation of tasks, requests, or items that need to be addressed or processed. Example: "Due to the recent surge in orders, we are currently facing an immense backlog that will take several weeks to clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The immense backlog of 7,000 containers that had piled up during the Pakistani closing still had to be reduced.

The New York Times

This would enable it to speed up the review of patent applications — which currently takes almost three years to process — and work through an immense backlog of 715,000 applications.

The New York Times

Federal officials said Friday that they had agreed on an emergency plan to hire back about 700 retired government employees in an effort to pare an immense backlog in applications for citizenship by legal immigrants.

The New York Times

Any account at that time would surely have focused on delay, delay, delay as the key problem with the system, due to the immense backlog of cases then overwhelming the Information Commissioner's Office.

BBC

Inflated demand adds in turn to the immense backlog of patents at the PTO, as well as threats and litigation at the back end.

Huffington Post

In the old system, soldiers send a data deluge of submitted reports back to base, creating an immense backlog of information that would take far too long to get processed, thus preventing the release of relevant feedback in a timely fashion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Trump administration has sought to reduce immigration and has been interested in brokering a safe third country agreement with Mexico to relieve some of the pressure on its asylum system, which has seen the number of applications skyrocket in the past several years, contributing to immense backlogs in the immigration courts.

The New York Times

These figures indicate the magnitude of the scourge and of the immense backlogs in coverage that have over many years built up in the numbers of people in need of ART.

Human Resources for Health

A huge backlog of cases?

The Guardian

Power systems, which accounted for about 20% of operating income for the entire company in the most recent quarter, is an immense profit generator with a huge and growing backlog.

Forbes

The management of marking workload within a short timeframe is immense, particularly with teachers trying to mark everything themselves, which can cause marking backlogs that are difficult to be cleared (Sutton, 2010), adding more burden and demanding more time and greater commitment.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider quantifying the "immense backlog" with numbers or comparisons to provide a clearer understanding of the scale. For instance, 'an immense backlog of over 10,000 cases' is more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "immense backlog" hyperbolically. If the backlog is only slightly larger than usual, consider using milder terms like 'moderate' or 'noticeable' to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense backlog" functions as a noun phrase, where "immense" modifies the noun "backlog". Ludwig AI indicates that it is commonly used to describe a substantial accumulation of pending tasks or items.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immense backlog" effectively describes a significantly large accumulation of pending tasks or items. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly News & Media, Science, and Academia. While alternatives like "substantial queue" or "massive accumulation" exist, "immense backlog" distinctly conveys a sense of overwhelming scale. When employing this phrase, ensure contextual clarity and avoid hyperbolic use to maintain credibility. Quantifying the backlog, if possible, can further enhance understanding. Overall, this phrase is a powerful tool for describing situations where a considerable amount of work awaits completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

massive accumulation

Replaces 'immense' with 'massive' for emphasis, maintaining 'accumulation' to highlight the gathering of items.

large backlog of work

Replaces 'immense' with 'large' and adds 'of work' for clarity, indicating the nature of the backlog.

substantial queue

Replaces 'backlog' with 'queue', suggesting a waiting line or order; 'substantial' maintains the sense of size.

significant accumulation

Uses 'accumulation' instead of 'backlog', highlighting the gathering of items; 'significant' conveys a similar magnitude.

considerable delay

Focuses on the delay aspect implied by a backlog; 'considerable' indicates a notable extent.

huge volume of pending tasks

Breaks down the phrase to specify 'volume of pending tasks', adding detail; 'huge' replaces 'immense'.

overwhelming amount of pending requests

Highlights the 'pending requests', emphasizing an 'overwhelming amount' rather than just size.

extensive pileup

Substitutes 'backlog' with 'pileup', emphasizing the disorderly accumulation; 'extensive' denotes a large scale.

enormous number of unprocessed items

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize 'unprocessed items', quantifying with 'enormous number'.

gigantic inventory

Focuses on inventory with gigantic quantities.

FAQs

How can I use "immense backlog" in a sentence?

You can use "immense backlog" to describe a large accumulation of pending tasks or items. For example, "The company is struggling to cope with the immense backlog of customer orders".

What are some alternatives to "immense backlog"?

Alternatives include "substantial queue", "massive accumulation", or "large backlog of work", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "immense backlog" in formal writing?

Yes, "immense backlog" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing significant delays or accumulations in professional or academic contexts. However, ensure the tone remains objective and avoids exaggeration.

What's the difference between "immense backlog" and "large backlog"?

"Immense backlog" implies a greater scale or severity compared to a "large backlog". "Immense" suggests the backlog is exceptionally significant and potentially overwhelming.