mountain of paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain of paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of documents or forms that need to be processed or completed. Example: "After the merger, the HR department was overwhelmed with a mountain of paperwork to sort through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"In the past, my report would have gotten lost in a mountain of paperwork.

The New York Times - Style

The rest is "frontlog" — a mountain of paperwork with nobody to process it.

The New York Times

This mountain of paperwork also discourages companies from promoting H-1B workers or transferring them to another job site.

The New York Times

At the end of a long day in clinic, we will still have a mountain of paperwork to get through.

The Guardian

In this week's column, Jim Rendon looks at renting in New York and the mountain of paperwork that the city's landlords require of prospective tenants.

The New York Times

Don't come to her office expecting the stereotypic mousy recluse buried beneath a mountain of paperwork, says Stefania Ricci, the museum director and archivist for Salvatore Ferragamo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

And let's not forget the mountain of paperworks and legal agreements.

TechCrunch

PAPER CUT The mountains of paperwork are one of the few certainties of home buying.

The New York Times

Authorities are still sorting through the mountains of paperwork already before them, the person said.

The New York Times

Getting a mortgage, with its mountains of paperwork, "was a difficult and painful process," he said.

The New York Times

They handle billions of automated transactions, checking plan members' eligibility online and eliminating mountains of paperwork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mountain of paperwork" when you want to emphasize the overwhelming quantity of documents or administrative tasks involved in a process. For instance, describe the challenges of applying for a permit or processing a loan.

Common error

While "mountain of paperwork" is a vivid description, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "extensive documentation" or "significant administrative burden" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain of paperwork" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common English expression. Examples show it describing burdens in various professional and personal situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountain of paperwork" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an overwhelming quantity of documents or administrative tasks. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and frequently used term. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of burden and complexity. While effective, it's advisable to vary your language with alternatives like "extensive documentation" or "significant administrative burden" to avoid redundancy. This phrase serves as a vivid way to depict situations burdened by excessive documentation, helping readers quickly grasp the scale of the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial pile of documents

Uses 'pile' as a more casual synonym for 'mountain'.

huge amount of documentation

Emphasizes the volume of documents involved.

overwhelming paperwork load

Highlights the feeling of being burdened by the paperwork.

large quantity of forms

Focuses on the numerous forms needing completion.

considerable amount of red tape

Focuses on the bureaucratic aspect of the paperwork.

extensive administrative burden

Highlights the onerous nature of the paperwork.

sea of documents

Uses a metaphorical 'sea' to describe the abundance.

significant volume of records

Emphasizes the archival aspect of the documents.

extensive paper trail

Focuses on the sequence of documents.

mass of official forms

Emphasizes that the documents are official.

FAQs

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

You can use "mountain of paperwork" to describe any situation where there is an excessive amount of documentation to manage. For example: "The new regulations created a "mountain of paperwork" for small businesses."

What's a good alternative to "mountain of paperwork"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "extensive documentation", "significant administrative burden", or "large quantity of forms" as alternatives to "mountain of paperwork".

Is "mountain of paperwork" a formal or informal expression?

"Mountain of paperwork" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "extensive documentation" might be preferred in highly professional settings.

What does "mountain of paperwork" imply?

"Mountain of paperwork" implies a task that is overwhelming, time-consuming, and potentially frustrating due to the sheer volume of documents involved.