pile of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pile of data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of data that is collected or accumulated, often implying that it is disorganized or overwhelming. Example: "After the survey, we were left with a pile of data that needed to be analyzed before we could draw any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Fortunately, if anyone can tame a vast pile of data, it's Google.

The New York Times - Tech

He sifts through a pile of data to find a story that no one else had found.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's created a pile of data that is an incredibly attractive target for law enforcement and intelligence agencies".

The New York Times

It was bracing and sobering, a reminder that you, yourself, have become an object of nostalgia, a pile of data for the next generation to download.

The New York Times

"We are not going to amass this huge pile of data on who went in and out of Tiburon every day," Chief Cronin said.

The New York Times

This pile of data allows Mr Piketty to sketch out the evolution of inequality since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Rising piles of data have long been a challenge.

The New York Times

"It's very good at looking at big piles of data for patterns.

The Guardian

Brown generally tries to make logical arguments with piles of data.

The New York Times

Powerful platforms will also emerge in industries that produce piles of data, such as health care.

The Economist

Yet the test-taking tips posted everywhere and Mr. Spezialetti's piles of data suggest a single-minded mission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "pile of data" when you are referring to the size of something.

Common error

While "pile of data" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal reports or presentations. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "comprehensive dataset" or "extensive database" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pile of data" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It refers to a large quantity of information, often implying that it is disorganized or overwhelming. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pile of data" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a large quantity of information. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. A more formal or organized situation might benefit from alternatives like "dataset" or "body of data". Usage is most frequent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. The phrase often carries a connotation of being overwhelming or challenging to manage, so choose it carefully to reflect the true state of the information being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wealth of data

Suggests a valuable and abundant collection of data.

mountain of data

Emphasizes the large and overwhelming nature of the data.

sea of data

Implies a vast and seemingly endless expanse of data.

collection of data

A more neutral and general term for a group of data points.

accumulation of data

Highlights the process of gathering and building up data over time.

volume of data

Focuses on the quantity and size of the data.

mass of data

Similar to "pile", but with a slightly more formal tone.

body of data

Suggests a comprehensive and organized set of data.

trove of data

Implies a rich and valuable source of data.

database of information

Refers to a structured and organized collection of data.

FAQs

How can I use "pile of data" in a sentence?

You can use "pile of data" to describe a large amount of information that needs to be analyzed. For example, "The research team was faced with a massive pile of data after the experiment."

What can I say instead of "pile of data"?

You can use alternatives like "wealth of data", "mountain of data", or "collection of data" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "pile of data" or "large amount of data"?

"Pile of data" is more informal and suggests disorganization, while "large amount of data" is more neutral. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "pile of data" and "body of data"?

"Pile of data" often implies a disorganized collection, whereas "body of data" suggests a more structured and comprehensive dataset.