mountain of tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain of tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of tasks or responsibilities that feel overwhelming. Example: "After returning from vacation, I was greeted by a mountain of tasks waiting for me at the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To work tirelessly to slot blocks into the right spaces, never finishing, always failing, is to feel something like the Sisyphean struggle to complete a mountain of tasks in an ever-shrinking day.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He told them not to look at the mountain of a task they had to conquer to secure three victories.

The New York Times - Sports

But if the wind doesn't blow, Woods will be facing a mountain of a task to catch the leaders -- players like Mickelson, who seems to be locked in since his victory at the Masters, and Ernie Els, who won the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago and is three under, and even Maruyama, who has played with Woods for two days and leads him by seven strokes.

The New York Times - Sports

"Can I do it?" We ask, as we consider pursuing the mountain of a task before us.

Huffington Post

That book took on and largely succeeded at what was a daunting task: mastering the mountain of culinary changes that took place between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s.

The New York Times

As PR pros today we are tasked with a mountain of responsibility.

Huffington Post

Timing of tasks matters.

Huffington Post

completion of tasks.

WikiHow

Track the progress of tasks.

WikiHow

Enter your list of tasks.

WikiHow

In a typical office, front desk staff are tasked with delving through a mountain of deliveries each day, figuring out who each package is for, and then contacting each person until they come and collect their item.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mountain of tasks" to vividly illustrate an overwhelming workload. This expression is more impactful than simply stating there are many tasks.

Common error

Don't use "mountain of tasks" when referring to a few very important tasks. The phrase implies quantity and potential simplicity rather than high-stakes urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain of tasks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It describes a significant quantity of work, often implying that the amount is overwhelming. Ludwig examples show it used to illustrate workload burden.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountain of tasks" is a noun phrase used to describe a large and overwhelming amount of work. It is considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news media and online articles. The expression effectively emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by numerous responsibilities. Remember to consider the scale when using this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the quantity of tasks rather than their individual importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overwhelming workload

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened by the amount of work.

Large volume of work

Emphasizes the sheer quantity of work to be done.

Formidable workload

Implies the work is challenging and potentially intimidating.

Huge pile of duties

Uses 'pile' as a metaphor for a disorganized and large set of responsibilities.

Unmanageable tasks

Emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with the sheer number of tasks.

Endless list of responsibilities

Highlights the continuous and seemingly never-ending nature of the tasks.

Slew of assignments

Indicates a large number of assigned tasks, often in an academic or professional setting.

Sea of obligations

Suggests a vast and potentially engulfing set of requirements.

Plethora of duties

Uses 'plethora' to suggest an abundance of responsibilities.

Massive undertaking

Refers to a single, large project that requires significant effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "mountain of tasks" to describe a large number of duties or responsibilities, such as, "After being away on vacation, I returned to a "mountain of tasks" at work".

What are some alternatives to "mountain of tasks"?

Alternatives include "overwhelming workload", "large volume of work", or "huge pile of duties", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "mountain of tasks" in formal writing?

Yes, "mountain of tasks" is appropriate for many formal contexts, especially when you want to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the workload. However, consider alternatives like "formidable workload" for very formal situations.

What's the difference between "mountain of tasks" and "range of tasks"?

"Mountain of tasks" refers to a large quantity of work, while "range of tasks" indicates variety or diversity in the types of work.