tons of garbage

USAGE SUMMARY

"tons of garbage" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the amount of something that is undesirable. For example: "Every day, the city streets are filled with tons of garbage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm ordering tons of garbage.

The New Yorker

There's something like 5 million tons of garbage there now.

The New Yorker

"California produces 30 million tons of garbage a year," Mr. Hart said.

The New York Times

Tens of thousands of tons of garbage must be disposed of each day.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Hayes then says he lifts 15 to 16 tons of garbage a day.

The New York Times

Over the years, the dump has accumulated an estimated 150,000 tons of garbage.

The New York Times

Each morning, on average, 6,300 tons of garbage arrives by barge from the central city.

The New York Times

They have been shoveling tons of garbage from the sidewalks into neat piles.

The New York Times

The 35-building complex, with more than 50,000 residents, generates up to 40 tons of garbage each day.

The New York Times

This is not some wacky avant-garde exercise; it's a way to eliminate millions of tons of garbage a year.

The New York Times

"And so he went, 20 feet down, into 250,000 tons of garbage, in search of $20,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tons of garbage", consider the audience and context. For formal reports, use more precise measurements (e.g., metric tons or specific weights) instead.

Common error

Avoid using "tons of garbage" in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise and quantifiable terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons of garbage" functions primarily as a noun phrase that quantifies the amount of waste. It acts as the object or subject in a sentence, describing the extent of pollution or waste management challenges. Ludwig confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tons of garbage" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large amount of waste. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's acceptable in written English, often used to emphasize the scale of environmental problems or waste management issues. While suitable for news and general discussions, more precise language might be preferred in formal or scientific contexts. Be mindful of your audience and the context in which you're writing to ensure the most appropriate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantities of waste

More formal and emphasizes the amount of waste involved.

massive amounts of refuse

Emphasizes the scale of the waste problem using the word "refuse".

significant volumes of trash

Highlights the large volume of trash, using a more technical term.

enormous piles of rubbish

Focuses on the visual image of large piles of waste material.

substantial heaps of litter

Highlights the accumulation of discarded items.

mountains of trash

Emphasizes the immensity of the garbage in a more figurative way.

vast quantities of discarded materials

More descriptive and includes a wider range of materials.

a lot of waste

Simpler and less emphatic way to describe a large amount of garbage.

huge accumulation of debris

Refers to scattered fragments, typically after destruction; more encompassing than "garbage".

considerable amount of rubbish

Uses "rubbish", a British English term, to denote waste.

FAQs

How can I use "tons of garbage" in a sentence?

You can use "tons of garbage" to describe a large quantity of waste, as in "The city produces "tons of garbage" every day."

What is a more formal alternative to "tons of garbage"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "large quantities of waste" or "significant volumes of trash" instead of ""tons of garbage"".

Is it appropriate to use "tons of garbage" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "tons of garbage" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and quantifiable terms like "metric tons of waste" or "substantial volumes of discarded materials".

What's the difference between "tons of garbage" and "tons of debris"?

"Tons of garbage" refers specifically to discarded waste, while "tons of debris" can refer to scattered fragments or wreckage, often resulting from destruction or natural events. The key difference is that garbage is waste, while debris is scattered remains.