stack of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stack of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large amount of tasks or responsibilities that need to be completed. Example: "I have a significant stack of work to get through before the deadline next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One afternoon, Vineet Jain, sitting on a sofa in his home with a stack of work on the coffee table in front him, spoke of the challenges facing his company.

The New Yorker

At the same time, you've gotten into a fight with your partner, your debit card was stolen, and your boss handed you a tall stack of work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's reported that, every evening, he took from a suitcase and savored, sheet by sheet, a particular stack of works on paper.

The New Yorker

Moreover, Yes Please is only the latest in a stack of works by professional funny women whose wisecracks and shared confidences envelop the kind of cosy wisdom once shelved in the self-help section.

BBC

The shots of him alone at his desk, accompanied only by stacks of work and a radio tuned to classical music, touch on an existential kind of isolation.

The New York Times - Arts

It might be as simple as carving out the time (and privacy) for intimacy, or creating the right setting for you two to be together (piles of laundry and stacks of work papers are less sexy than a clean room with candlelight).

Huffington Post

In the nearly 25 years since he left the Berlin Philharmonic to become a solo flutist, he has cruised his way through the recital and concerto repertory, commissioned stacks of works, undertaken an equally large stack of crossover projects in which he has played everything from light pop to country to tangos, and pursued a sideline conducting career.

The New York Times - Arts

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 — Congress departed on Friday for a two-week break, leaving behind a stack of unfinished work as a major farm bill became the latest victim of a stalemate that has bedeviled Congress all year.

The New York Times

No new research maybe, little or no networking, but a stack of completed work to get into print.

Science Magazine

A foot-high stack of completed work orders sits on the desk.

Los Angeles Times

And I did; over the years I acquired a small stack of her work and drank deep, shelving her on my nightstand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stack of work", ensure it accurately reflects the volume and nature of the tasks. Avoid using it for trivial amounts of work, as it implies a substantial accumulation.

Common error

Don't use "stack of work" when referring to a few simple tasks. The phrase suggests a significant, potentially overwhelming workload, not just a minor to-do list.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stack of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes a significant amount of tasks or responsibilities that need to be addressed. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing one's workload.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stack of work" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant amount of tasks or responsibilities, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase with a neutral register, suitable for both professional and informal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to accurately reflect the volume of tasks involved. Alternatives like "pile of work" or "mountain of work" can offer similar meanings but may convey slightly different connotations regarding organization and scale. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, highlighting the phrase's versatility and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pile of work

Replaces "stack" with "pile", emphasizing a less organized heap of tasks.

mountain of work

Substitutes "stack" with "mountain", highlighting the overwhelming size of the workload.

backlog of work

Uses "backlog" instead of "stack", focusing on tasks that have accumulated and need to be addressed.

work overload

Employs "work overload" to directly describe having too much work.

large workload

Uses "large workload" to indicate a significant amount of work to be done.

heavy workload

Similar to "large workload", but emphasizes the demanding nature of the work.

significant amount of work

Rephrases the concept using more descriptive language.

substantial amount of work

Synonymous with "significant amount of work", offering a slightly different tone.

considerable amount of work

Similar to "significant amount of work", indicating a noteworthy quantity.

extensive tasks

Focuses on the tasks themselves, emphasizing their extensiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "stack of work" to describe a large quantity of tasks or assignments that need to be completed. For example, "I have a huge "stack of work" to finish before the end of the week".

What are some alternatives to saying "stack of work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "pile of work", "mountain of work", or "large workload" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stack of works" instead of "stack of work"?

While "works" can refer to artistic creations, in the context of tasks or assignments, "work" is generally preferred. So, ""stack of work"" is the more common and appropriate usage.

How does the meaning of "stack of work" differ from "backlog of work"?

"Stack of work" generally refers to a collection of tasks, whereas "backlog of work" specifically describes tasks that have accumulated and are waiting to be addressed. The latter implies a sense of tasks being overdue or delayed.