pile of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pile of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as a metaphor to describe a large number of difficulties or challenges that need to be dealt with. Example: "The company's financial troubles have caused a huge pile of problems for its employees, who now face pay cuts and possible layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Penney executives might consider whether it's worth moving on from this battle and addressing the rest of their mounting pile of problems.

The New Yorker

Whoever emerges as governor after Tuesdays election (and it could be any of the top candidates; stranger things have happened already this year) will face a pile of problems.

The New York Times

Among the words of advice in "Living the Good Long Life," Stewart's new book on aging gracefully, is this line: "Life is a pile of problems that have to be solved one way or another, and the best way is to look at each one individually, figure it out, and move on".

The New Yorker

In "The Plan," a smart 2006 book of "big ideas for America," the co-authors, Rahm Emanuel and Bruce Reed, wrote: "The nation is at war, the government is broke, Washington is on the take — and yet the deeper the pile of problems, the shallower the political system's response".

The New York Times

The joke is that everyone who visits Horace and Pete's, a dive bar in Brooklyn that has been run by members of the same family for a hundred years, has a pile of problems and a lot to say about them.

The New Yorker

"Obviously we're trapped under a pile of problems from street crime to drug gangs to the killings of women and children.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This creates a safe space for solutions to occur rather than a piling heap of problems based on misunderstandings.

Huffington Post

The pile of "problem" cards was spread on a table and the farmer selected the two most significant problems (given a rank value of one), and the next three (given a rank value of two).

Human Ecology

Rodney Waller, a senior vice president at the oil and gas company Range Resources, called the expected surge in liquefied natural gas imports part of a "pile on" of problems including plummeting demand, prices and credit besetting companies that stretched their exploration and production budgets in recent years to meet expanding demand.

The New York Times

The country's banks are saddled with piles of problem loans from those sectors.

The New York Times

It is facing a mounting pile of regulatory problems, however, including police investigations into its activities in China and France, as well as questions over its safety after one of its drivers was accused of rape in India.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pile of problems", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature and scope of the issues. For clarity, briefly elaborate on the most pressing problems immediately after using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "pile of problems" in your writing. While effective, overuse can make your language sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with more specific terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pile of problems" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a multitude of difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms that it is commonly used to depict challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pile of problems" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a multitude of difficulties. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to highlight challenging situations across diverse fields. While widely applicable, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, opting for more specific descriptions when appropriate. Related phrases like "mountain of difficulties" or "complex web of issues" can offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Wiki, and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountain of difficulties

Similar to "pile", but emphasizes the scale and intimidating nature of the problems.

host of issues

Changes the imagery from a "pile" to a "host", suggesting a numerous collection of problems.

cluster of complications

Replaces the 'pile' metaphor with 'cluster', indicating group of interconnected issues and replacing problems with complication, indicating an element that makes something more difficult

series of difficulties

Replaces "problems" with "difficulties" and uses "series" to indicate a sequence or chain of issues.

array of challenges

Employs "array" to convey a diverse set of "challenges", rather than a single mass of problems.

laundry list of issues

Uses the metaphor of a "laundry list" to imply a long and potentially tedious set of problems.

complex web of issues

Suggests that the problems are interconnected and difficult to disentangle.

range of predicaments

Implies different types of difficult situations or dilemmas.

sea of troubles

Metaphorically describes the problems as a vast and overwhelming "sea".

accumulation of setbacks

Focuses on the idea of gradual increase and obstruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "pile of problems" to describe a situation with many difficulties. For example: "The new CEO inherited a huge "pile of problems" when she took over the company."

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

You can use alternatives like "host of issues", "mountain of difficulties", or "complex web of issues" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a pile of problem"?

No, it is not correct. "Pile" refers to a collection or group, so it should be followed by the plural noun "problems". The correct phrase is "a pile of problems".

What is the difference between "pile of problems" and "bunch of problems"?

Both phrases convey the idea of having many problems. "Pile of problems" suggests a large, disorganized mass of issues, while "bunch of problems" implies a collection of issues that may be related or similar.