mountains of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountains of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of work or tasks that need to be completed, often implying that it feels overwhelming. Example: "After the holiday season, I returned to the office to find mountains of work waiting for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She never married, perhaps because her social life was circumscribed by the mountains of work she habitually brought home.

The New York Times

They seem to have one thing in common: an uncompromising teacher who takes his mission seriously and expects mountains of work.

The New York Times

But I am only 17, and constantly inundated with mountains upon mountains of work: a multitude of expectations carelessly slung alongside constant overhanging thoughts on whether I am too fat, too tall or too blonde.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The new tax law foists mountains of work on the beleaguered IRS.

Forbes

Many medical students are similarly drowning under mountains of work.

HuffPost

There are lots of ways to get our mountains of work done, and not all of them involve W-2 employees.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It leaves a mountain of work for us".

The New York Times

He produced a mountain of work published in some 40 books.

The Economist

I was feeling under the weather and had a mountain of work, so I sent my regrets.

The New York Times

There is a mountain of work still to be done to turn the venues into sporting theatres.

Independent

And if multiple breaks are out of the question when you're buried under a mountain of work?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facing "mountains of work", break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to track progress more effectively.

Common error

While "mountains of work" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact. Use it judiciously to emphasize genuinely overwhelming workloads, not just typical busy periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountains of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a large quantity of tasks or responsibilities that need to be completed. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is valid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountains of work" is a noun phrase used to describe an overwhelming amount of tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While grammatically correct and understandable, it leans slightly towards informal and is best used in neutral contexts like news or general discussions. For more formal writing, alternatives like "heavy workload" or "substantial amount of work" might be more appropriate. When facing "mountains of work", breaking down tasks and using the term judiciously will enhance clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy workload

Focuses on the weight and burden of the work.

large volume of work

Emphasizes the quantity and scale of the work.

substantial amount of work

Highlights the significance and size of the work.

considerable work

Stresses the amount of effort and time required.

extensive tasks

Focuses on the breadth and scope of the tasks.

pile of responsibilities

Emphasizes the burden of different responsibilities.

overwhelming tasks

Stresses the feeling of being burdened or overloaded.

huge undertaking

Highlights the size and importance of the project or work.

massive projects

Focuses on the size and scope of the projects.

never-ending duties

Emphasizes the continuous and relentless nature of the work.

FAQs

How can I use "mountains of work" in a sentence?

You can use "mountains of work" to describe a situation where you have an overwhelming amount of tasks to complete. For example, "After the holiday, I returned to the office to face "mountains of work"."

What's a less dramatic way to describe a lot of work?

If you want to tone down the exaggeration, consider using phrases like "heavy workload" or "substantial amount of work".

Is it appropriate to use "mountains of work" in formal writing?

While understandable, "mountains of work" leans towards informal. In formal writing, opt for more professional phrases like "large volume of work".

What's the difference between "mountains of work" and "heavy workload"?

"Mountains of work" emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of a large workload, while "heavy workload" simply describes the quantity and intensity of the work without the same sense of being burdened.