a surfeit of trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surfeit of trust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive amount of trust placed in someone or something, often implying that it may be unwarranted or risky. Example: "In the wake of the scandal, it became clear that the board had placed a surfeit of trust in the CEO's judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cheap money engenders a surfeit of trust, and vice versa.

The New Yorker

Facebook isn't the only one of those companies (um, hey Google) but Facebook's products aren't singular enough to be worth fooling yourself into a surfeit of trust.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We have been plagued in all sectors of society by a surfeit of confidence and certainty.

Huffington Post

One reason could be a surfeit of self- confidence.

Huffington Post

But a surfeit of awards may backfire.

The Economist

But there is a surfeit of villains.

The New York Times

And New York offered a surfeit of candidates.

The New York Times

A surfeit of information hurts his head.

The Guardian - Books

J: "Due to a surfeit of bookishness.

The Guardian - Books

Yorkshire had a surfeit of fast bowlers.

The Guardian - Sport

A surfeit of descriptions, a paucity of action.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a surfeit of trust" when you want to convey that the amount of trust placed in someone or something is not only excessive but potentially dangerous or unwise. It's particularly effective in contexts where this excess has led to negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a surfeit of trust" simply to mean "a lot of trust". The word "surfeit" carries a connotation of excess leading to negative outcomes. If the abundance of trust hasn't caused any problems, consider using alternatives like "a great deal of trust" or "substantial trust" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surfeit of trust" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where the amount of trust is excessive, often to a detrimental degree. Ludwig AI identifies its use in contexts discussing the dangers of unchecked trust.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a surfeit of trust" is a noun phrase indicating an excessive and potentially harmful amount of trust. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct but relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media. The phrase is used to express criticism or caution regarding situations where excessive trust has led to negative consequences. While similar phrases like "an excess of trust" or "too much trust" exist, "a surfeit of trust" carries a specific connotation of excess causing harm. When writing, be mindful of this nuance to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excess of trust

Replaces "surfeit" with "excess", a more common synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

an overabundance of trust

Substitutes "surfeit" with "overabundance", adding a slightly stronger sense of excess.

too much trust

Simplifies the phrase using more basic vocabulary while retaining the core concept of excessive trust.

a wealth of trust

Uses "wealth" as a synonym for "surfeit", implying a large and possibly unnecessary amount of trust.

an unwarranted degree of trust

Focuses on the unjustified nature of the trust, rather than just the quantity.

excessive confidence

Shifts the focus slightly from trust to confidence, but still implies an overestimation of reliability.

unjustified reliance

Highlights the lack of justification for the trust placed.

a naive amount of trust

Adds a connotation of naivety or lack of awareness to the excessive trust.

an imprudent level of trust

Emphasizes the unwise or risky nature of the excessive trust.

blind faith

Implies a complete lack of critical evaluation in the trust being given.

FAQs

How can I use "a surfeit of trust" in a sentence?

You can use "a surfeit of trust" to describe situations where too much trust has been placed in someone or something, often leading to negative consequences. For example: "The company's downfall was caused by a surfeit of trust in the CEO's decisions."

What are some alternatives to "a surfeit of trust"?

You can use alternatives like "an excess of trust", "too much trust", or "an unwarranted degree of trust" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a surfeit of trust" and "a lot of trust"?

"A lot of trust" simply indicates a large amount of trust. "A surfeit of trust", on the other hand, implies that the amount of trust is excessive to the point of being detrimental or unwise. The term "surfeit" suggests that the abundance has led to negative consequences.

When is it appropriate to use "a surfeit of trust"?

It is appropriate to use "a surfeit of trust" when you want to emphasize that the amount of trust is not only large but also inappropriate or harmful in the given context. It's often used to criticize decisions or situations where excessive trust has been misplaced.