swamped with work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swamped with work" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which you or someone else has too much work to do. For example: "I'm swamped with work this week and don't have time to do anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The Rolls-Royce swamped Garage is swithed work work.

The New Yorker

The agency in question, the Health Care Financing Administration, is swamped with work.

The New York Times

Then, on January 8 , 2004 he wrote, "I'm completely swamped with work this week.

The New Yorker

"Within five years of his return from Italy, Adam was swamped with work," Mr. Rowan writes.

The New York Times - Arts

Fellow got the second lead in a Broadway show, and a girl accordionist got swamped with work.

The New Yorker

Creatively blocked, and swamped with work and family responsibilities, Ms. Hamilton wound up giving back her advance.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"When I finally got him on the phone he said he was super-swamped with work.

The Guardian

"It helps women, especially the ones who are swamped with care work". Yousuf and her brother are their parents' primary caretakers, tending to health issues while working full time.

HuffPost

Dr. Tucker's best-known work, in which he created the mathematical foundations of linear programming, was a product of a second career in mathematics that did not begin until he was 45 and swamped with wartime work, administrative duties and three boisterous children.

The New York Times

"Such is the brilliance of the Rev cast that getting everyone back together for further adventures is always challenging," said Kenton Allen, co-chief executive of Big Talk and executive producer of Rev. Wood told MediaGuardian in May that the comedy's ensemble cast has been "too bloody successful" and have been swamped with other work.

The Guardian

David Silverman was originally going to direct the episode, but he was so swamped with his work as supervising director that it was re-assigned to Mark Kirkland.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "swamped with work", be specific about the type of work causing the overload to provide clearer context for your reader. For example, "I'm swamped with administrative work this week."

Common error

Don't just say you're "swamped with work" without providing context. Vague statements lack impact. Instead, specify the projects, deadlines, or responsibilities that contribute to feeling overwhelmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swamped with work" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a pronoun like 'I' or 'we', or a noun referring to a person or entity). It describes the state of being overwhelmed by a large quantity of tasks or responsibilities, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "swamped with work" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe being overwhelmed by a large amount of tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its broad usage across various contexts. While suitable for most situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "inundated with work" in professional settings. When employing the phrase, providing specific context about the nature of the work is beneficial for clarity. In summary, "swamped with work" is a practical and easily understood way to communicate a state of being overburdened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed with tasks

Replaces "work" with the more specific "tasks", slightly narrowing the scope.

buried in work

Uses a different metaphor to convey the feeling of being deeply immersed in work.

snowed under with work

Employs a weather-related metaphor to illustrate the abundance of work.

up to my neck in work

An idiomatic expression indicating a high level of involvement in work.

inundated with work

Uses a more formal synonym for "swamped", suggesting a flood of work.

deluged with work

Similar to "inundated", emphasizing a heavy and overwhelming influx of work.

bogged down with work

Suggests that the work is hindering progress and causing difficulty.

overloaded with work

Focuses on the excessive quantity of work exceeding capacity.

consumed by work

Implies that work is taking up a significant amount of time and energy.

engulfed in work

Paints a picture of being completely surrounded and absorbed by work.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "swamped with work"?

Being "swamped with work" means you have a large amount of work to do in a limited amount of time, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

What are some synonyms for "swamped with work"?

Alternatives include "overwhelmed with tasks", "buried in work", or "inundated with work", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "swamped with work" in formal communication?

While acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "inundated with work" in professional settings for a more polished tone.

How can I avoid getting "swamped with work"?

Prioritize tasks, delegate when possible, and manage your time effectively to prevent feeling "overwhelmed with tasks". Learn to say no to additional responsibilities when you're already at capacity.