mountain of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of documents, often implying that the amount is overwhelming or difficult to manage. Example: "After the audit, we were left with a mountain of documents to review before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Oversight Committee has asked the White House for a mountain of documents.

The Washington Post

In the mountain of documents, though, there are also stories of important victories.

The New York Times

Curious, he knocked down the wall, and found a mountain of documents, piled almost ten feet high.

The New Yorker

The prospect of British judges demanding further damaging disclosures in the future appalled the Americans.The sheer effort and cost of vetting the mountain of documents was also prohibitive.

The Economist

Zamiruddin, a 24-year-old auditor from Rangareddy, a rural district, explained how he detected fraud in the mountain of documents he examined.

The New York Times

The ISC is now also responsible for reviewing the work of the military's "defence intelligence" unit, which will add to the mountain of documents available for review.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

They broke into offices at night and copied mountains of documents.

The New York Times

Homeowners may send mountains of documents, only to be told months later that they must be sent again.

The New York Times

Dr. Tuman said the policy set up the newspapers for a problematic task: verifying those mountains of documents.

The New York Times

In the last decade, question-answering systems have become increasingly important for firms dealing with mountains of documents.

The New York Times - Magazine

On February 17th federal agents swooped on Sir Allen Stanford's financial group, seizing mountains of documents, and a judge placed it in the hands of a receiver.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mountain of documents" when you want to emphasize not only the large quantity but also the overwhelming or challenging aspect of dealing with them. It's more impactful than simply saying "many documents".

Common error

Avoid using "mountain of documents" in contexts where you want to convey a neutral or positive sense of abundance. The phrase carries a sense of being burdened or overwhelmed, so choose alternatives like "large collection of documents" if the quantity isn't problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain of documents" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a large and often overwhelming quantity of documents, using the metaphor of a mountain to emphasize the size. Ludwig AI validates this construction and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mountain of documents" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a large and often overwhelming quantity of documents. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various professional contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. While generally neutral in tone, it carries a connotation of being burdened or challenged by the sheer volume of paperwork. When using this phrase, be mindful of its implications and consider alternatives like "large quantity of documents" or "vast collection of documents" if a more neutral tone is desired. Remember to use the phrase to effectively convey the difficulty of the situation and the scale of the task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sea of documents

Uses a different metaphor, suggesting being overwhelmed by the documents.

massive pile of documents

Similar in imagery, but less formal than "mountain".

huge volume of documents

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the sheer amount rather than the overwhelming nature.

large quantity of documents

More formal and literal, lacking the metaphorical emphasis on size and difficulty.

immense number of documents

More focused on the numerical quantity, less on the figurative aspect.

vast collection of documents

Focuses on the variety and compilation aspect, less on the difficulty.

plethora of documents

More formal and emphasizes the abundance.

extensive array of documents

Highlights the comprehensiveness and range of the documents.

substantial body of documents

Emphasizes the weight and importance of the collection.

significant accumulation of documents

Highlights the gradual build-up of the documents.

FAQs

How can I use "mountain of documents" in a sentence?

You can use "mountain of documents" to describe a large and overwhelming quantity of documents, for example, "After the merger, we faced a "mountain of documents" to process".

What can I say instead of "mountain of documents"?

You can use alternatives like "large quantity of documents", "huge volume of documents", or "vast collection of documents" depending on the context.

Is "mountain of documents" an exaggeration?

Yes, "mountain of documents" is a hyperbole used to emphasize the overwhelming size and quantity of the documents. It is not meant to be taken literally but to convey a sense of being burdened by the amount of paperwork.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "mountain of documents"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight not only the large quantity but also the difficulty or challenge associated with managing or reviewing the documents. It implies a sense of being overwhelmed.