reduce the backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the backlog" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the need to decrease a build-up of tasks, orders, or requests that have not been completed. Example: "The team is working overtime to reduce the backlog of customer service inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That would presumably enable it to reduce the backlog of applications.

The Economist

Mr. deLeon's immediate mission, the Mayor said, will be to reduce the backlog.

The New York Times

The Accelerated Capital Renewal initiative (ACR) is designed to substantially reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance on campus.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Obama's 2015 budget requested $35m to help reduce the backlog, and the House approved a $41m appropriation May 30.

The Guardian

His case ended up in the courtroom set up in January specifically to help reduce the backlog of felony cases.

The New York Times

He said 100 extra staff would be recruited in addition to the 300 already taken on to reduce the backlog.

The Guardian

Arbitration's purpose is to "reduce costs, speed up cases and reduce the backlog of cases," he said, but "statistics show those goals not accomplished".

The New York Times

The patchy results came despite stepped-up efforts by the federal government, including nearly $500 million in grants since 2004, to help crime laboratories reduce the backlog.

The New York Times

In written answers to questions from the inspector general, Mr. Gore denied any political motive to the effort to reduce the backlog.

The New York Times

That would be just about enough to keep up with population growth, so it would not actually reduce the backlog of unemployed workers.

The New York Times

If debt played a role in the secession, the Hortensian law may have been designed to reduce the backlog of lawsuits in the praetor's court in Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the backlog", clearly define what constitutes the backlog to ensure your audience understands the specific issue you are addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the backlog" without specifying the type of items contributing to it. For instance, instead of generally stating "reduce the backlog", specify "reduce the backlog of pending orders" or "reduce the backlog of customer inquiries."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the backlog" functions as a verb phrase, where "reduce" is the transitive verb and "the backlog" is the direct object. This phrase is used to describe the action of lessening an accumulation or build-up of pending tasks or items. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the backlog" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the action of lessening an accumulation of pending tasks or items. Ludwig confirms the acceptability of the phrase. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define what constitutes the backlog to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "clear the backlog" or "alleviate the backlog" can be used to convey slightly different nuances. Overall, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to communicate the intention to diminish a backlog.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the backlog

A direct synonym, simply indicating a lessening in the size of the backlog.

lessen the backlog

Synonymous with alleviate and decrease, indicating a reduction in severity or size.

clear the backlog

Focuses on eliminating the backlog completely, suggesting a more immediate and comprehensive solution.

diminish the backlog

Similar to decrease, but can also suggest a gradual reduction over time.

cut down the backlog

A more informal way of saying reduce, suggesting a quick or aggressive approach.

alleviate the backlog

Implies making the backlog less severe or burdensome, without necessarily eliminating it entirely.

mitigate the backlog

Focuses on reducing the negative impact or consequences of the backlog.

resolve the backlog

Emphasizes finding a solution to the backlog, implying a more permanent fix.

address the backlog

Focuses on dealing with the backlog, but does not necessarily imply immediate reduction.

work through the backlog

Highlights the process of actively addressing and processing the items in the backlog.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the backlog" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the backlog" to describe efforts to diminish an accumulation of tasks, items, or requests. For example, "The company implemented new strategies to reduce the backlog of customer support tickets."

What are some alternatives to "reduce the backlog"?

You can use alternatives like "clear the backlog", "alleviate the backlog", or "decrease the backlog" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "eliminate the backlog" or "reduce the backlog"?

The choice between "eliminate the backlog" and "reduce the backlog" depends on the feasibility and scope of the solution. "Eliminate the backlog" implies a complete removal, while "reduce the backlog" suggests a partial decrease. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "address the backlog" and "reduce the backlog"?

"Address the backlog" implies taking steps to deal with the backlog, while "reduce the backlog" specifically means diminishing its size. You can address a backlog without immediately reducing it, such as by implementing long-term solutions.