load

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "load" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large amount of something, or to tasks or amounts that someone has to deal with or cope with. For example, "The sales team was given a heavy load of orders to process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But when you get a load of Oscar nominations, and you look down the list of great directors who have won in the past, it's really humbling.

The Guardian - Film

When you start up your computer, extensions will load, and not all of the services will be in use.

The Guardian - Tech

For me, though, it offers the possibility of immortality of the best kind - easy, cheap, and my great-great-grandchildren might be able to load me from disk to play alongside them in Resident Evil 73.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If they have been killed by somebody then it's brought a whole load of nonsense on top of everybody's head that we don't need".

The Guardian

The road west of town was lined with signs advertising "fresh water", where tankers can take on a box-car-sized load of water laced with industrial chemicals.

The Guardian

"My work load was awful, unimaginable … [My master] considered me to have no soul.

The Guardian

"I had to grit my teeth and do a load of stuff – or not do a load of stuff, more precisely – that normally I would have done".

The Guardian

So, this time it's not the LFP, it's the Federation (RFEF) who get this award after they let a load of suspended players off for a week because it was a bank holiday and their competition committee couldn't be bothered to meet, and left Atlético Madrid trophyless as they won the title against Barcelona because their president had a prior engagement and couldn't make it to the final game.

The Guardian - Sport

In this age of belt-tightening, lightening the load of weekly spending could be a motivator that makes the difference.

The Guardian

I can see exactly how much it costs to do something like run the lawnmower, or do a load of laundry.

The Guardian

Phil will probably wish more of the royalties from this song were his when he has to chuck a load of cash at Stevie Wonder, whose My Cherie Amour is sampled here with an almost heroic lack of creativity.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "load" to describe an amount of work, consider whether "workload" might be a more precise term.

Common error

While "loads" can mean "many", avoid using it in formal writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "numerous" or "a large number of".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "load" is either as a noun, referring to a quantity or burden, or as a verb, denoting the action of placing something onto or into something. Ludwig AI confirms the word's versatile usage across different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Tech

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "load" functions primarily as a noun or a verb, conveying meanings related to quantity, burden, or the act of filling. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media. While generally acceptable, the formality of the context should guide word choice, particularly avoiding informal phrases like "a load of" in professional settings. Consider replacing "load" with "burden", "cargo", or "workload" depending on the specific meaning intended. Therefore, using appropriate language for your desired register can ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workload

Specifically refers to the amount of work to be done.

burden

Refers to something heavy to carry or a difficult responsibility.

charge

Emphasizes the amount of something that is carried or the responsibility.

cargo

Emphasizes the goods being transported.

fill

Highlights the action of making something full or occupied.

shipment

Highlights the act of sending goods.

task

Focuses on a piece of work to be done.

responsibility

Stresses the duty or obligation.

strain

Implies pressure or tension.

pressure

Suggests a demanding or urgent situation.

FAQs

How can I use "load" in a sentence?

You can use "load" as a noun to refer to a quantity of something, as in "That's a load of nonsense", or as a verb, as in "Please load the truck".

What's the difference between "load" and "burden"?

"Load" refers to something being carried or a quantity, while "burden" more strongly implies a heavy or oppressive weight, either physical or emotional. Think of "burden" as a heavier, more impactful version of "load".

What are some alternatives to "load" when referring to computer data?

When referring to computer data, you can use alternatives like "upload", "download", or "transfer" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "load" in professional writing?

Using "load" is acceptable in professional writing depending on the context. For example, "workload" is perfectly acceptable. However, using "a load of" to mean "many" might be too informal and should be replaced with "numerous" or "a large number of".