If you’re unsure how to say you have a lot of work to do at your job, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll show you how to say a lot of work professionally using 6 suitable alternative phrases.
Moreover, we’ll discuss the correctness of the phrase a lot of work in context.
6 Alternative Ways to Say “A Lot of Work”
Check out these 6 other ways to say you have a lot of work in a professional setting:
- A large workload
- Several projects on the go
- A full schedule
- A number of tasks to complete
- Much to be done
- An abundance of work
1. A Large Workload
The phrase a large workload is a great professional synonym for a lot of work.
Therefore, you can use this alternative when setting necessary boundaries with colleagues or your employer when it comes to your time.
Essentially, saying that you have a large workload in an email will let the recipient know that you already have a lot on your plate.
Therefore, you won’t be able to prioritize any additional tasks or requests they may make.
To see how to use this phrase in context, have a look at the example below:
Dear Sierra,
I have a large workload today and am unable to assist on this at present.
I would be happy to meet with you tomorrow morning if that would suffice.
Kind regards,
Julio
2. Several Projects on the Go
Several projects on the go is a business-casual phrase that you can use at work when you are responding to requests from your coworkers.
This phrase means that you are working on many tasks simultaneously. Therefore, you don’t have the capacity to add another to your schedule immediately.
Although this phrase is not particularly formal, it is a standard way to talk about your workload in a professional setting.
Therefore, you can use it in an email to a colleague regardless of the nature of your relationship.
Consider the following email sample:
Dear Ronni,
I would be happy to help you with this.
However, I’m afraid I have several projects on the go this week and will therefore need some additional time to prepare.
Kind regards,
Lisa
3. A Full Schedule
Another way to say you have a lot of work when you are arranging meetings or project dates with your clients is to simply say that you have a full schedule.
This phrase works well whether you work at a company or as a freelancer, as it will give the client insight into your capacity.
For instance:
Dear Mr. Guillory,
I’m afraid I have a full schedule this week.
Nonetheless, if this project is not urgent, I would be happy to discuss the details with you first thing next week.
Kind regards,
Emilio Marcos
4. A Number of Tasks to Complete
You can say that you have a number of tasks to complete when you want to let your boss know that you won’t be able to prioritize a new task until you’ve dealt with your current workload.
The phrasing of a number of tasks to completeis suitably formal for an email to a superior at work.
In addition, this phrase is very straightforward and clear, which makes it a sensible choice for an email to your employer.
After all, you should be able to communicate directly with your boss about your schedule in the office!
Check out this sample email to see this phrase in action:
Dear Ms. Tinoco,
I have a number of tasks to complete tomorrow.
However, I would be happy to take on this assignment from Wednesday onward.
Kind regards,
Teelia Lylard
5. Much to Be Done
Much to be done is a formal phrase that you can use when addressing your employees or staff at your workplace.
This phrase has an authoritative tone, which makes it a good choice if you are the boss or a senior member of your team.
After all, it states broadly that there is work to do and allows you to introduce any instructions you may have in an email to a single employee or your workforce at large.
Have a look at how we’ve used this phrase in an email example:
Dear Staff,
There is much to be done before the banquet on Friday.
Therefore, I will need at least 10 volunteers to visit the venue this afternoon.
Regards,
Malory
6. An Abundance of Work
Our final alternative to a lot of work is an abundance of work.
This phrase is essentially a more formal synonym that you can use when you are emailing a colleague you don’t know very well or a fellow professional from another company or industry.
The formal wording of this phrase makes it a safe bet when you are talking to a stranger about your schedule.
Moreover, it keeps things clear but professional at all times.
In fact, this phrase may serve to make your excuse for being unable to take on more work sound more legitimate!
To see what we mean, check out our final email sample:
Dear Raushanah,
I’m afraid I have an abundance of work that requires my attention at present.
However, I would be happy to direct you to a colleague of mine if your request is urgent.
Kind regards,
Eme
Is It Correct to Say “A Lot of Work”?
The phrase a lot of work is perfectly correct and suitable to use in a variety of contexts.
For example, it is perfectly appropriate to say that you have a lot of work to do at your job. The wording of this phrase is perfectly professional, whatever your industry.
Let’s look at an email example to see how you can use this phrase in practice:
Hi Team,
We have a lot of work to do on the Cowen case before Friday.
Therefore, I suggest we meet this afternoon to discuss.
Kind regards,
Sheldon
You can shorten the phrase a lot of work to lots of work. However, this variation comes across as a lot more informal and even juvenile at times.
Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend using it in a corporate or business email.
However, you can use this phrase if you work with children at a school or online.
For instance:
I have lots of work to do today with you, so please take your seats and get your books out!
Next, let’s consider another possible variation of a lot of work:
Variation: Work vs. works
- Incorrect: A lot of works.
- Correct: A lot of work.
In our present context, the phrase “I have a lot of works” would sound clumsy and should be avoided when talking about your workload at your job.
However, the phrase a lot of works is suitable if you are referring to artworks. For example:
There are a lot of works by young, up-coming artists in the gallery down the road.
So, we know that the phrase a lot of work is correct and suitable for a professional setting.
However, this phrase is rather standardized.
Thus, it wouldn’t hurt to shake up your phrasing using one or more of the alternative phrases on our list.
