piling up

USAGE SUMMARY

"piling up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where things are quickly accumulating or increasing in number or size. For example, "The unpaid bills were piling up faster than she could keep track of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Laundry is piling up.

The New York Times

Garbage is piling up.

The New York Times

Responsibilities were piling up.

The New Yorker

It's piling up.

The New Yorker

Fees are also piling up.

The New York Times

Outside, snow is piling up.

The New Yorker

Losses were piling up.

The New York Times - Tech

Garbage was piling up.

The Guardian

Debts were piling up.

The New York Times

Cases were piling up.

The New York Times

pitches piling up for Scherzer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piling up" when you want to convey the idea of a rapid and often overwhelming accumulation of something, whether it's physical objects, responsibilities, or problems.

Common error

While versatile, "piling up" might sound less appropriate in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "accumulating" or "increasing" for a more professional tone in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piling up" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present participle of the phrasal verb "pile up". It describes an ongoing process of accumulation, often implying a rapid or overwhelming increase. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe accumulating responsibilities, garbage, snow, and debts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piling up" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes an ongoing accumulation, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in News & Media. While generally appropriate, consider more formal alternatives like "accumulating" in academic or highly professional contexts. Use "piling up" to vividly express a rapid and potentially overwhelming increase of something. Understanding its connotations and appropriate contexts will enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

building up

Similar to "piling up" but can also imply an increase in intensity or anticipation.

accumulating rapidly

This alternative focuses on the speed of accumulation. It's a more formal and direct synonym.

increasing quickly

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the rapid increase in quantity or intensity.

mounting steadily

This suggests a gradual and consistent increase, often used for abstract things like pressure or problems.

swelling in number

Implies a gradual increase in size or quantity, similar to a swelling tide.

amassing swiftly

A more formal and emphatic way to express rapid accumulation, often used for wealth or resources.

snowballing

Suggests that something is growing rapidly and uncontrollably, like a snowball rolling downhill.

ballooning

Suggests a rapid and often unsustainable increase, like a balloon being inflated.

multiplying

Emphasizes the increase in number through a process of multiplication, often used for living things or abstract concepts.

gathering momentum

Focuses on the increase in force or speed, often used for movements or trends.

FAQs

How can I use "piling up" in a sentence?

You can use "piling up" to describe the accumulation of various things. For example, "The dirty dishes were piling up in the sink", or "The stress was piling up as the deadline approached".

What are some alternatives to "piling up"?

Alternatives include "accumulating", "building up", or "mounting", depending on the specific context.

Is "piling up" considered formal or informal language?

"Piling up" is generally considered neutral to informal. While widely used, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "accumulating" or "increasing".

What does it mean when someone says "Problems are piling up"?

It means that a person is experiencing a growing number of issues or difficulties in a short period of time, suggesting a sense of being overwhelmed.