a surplus of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surplus of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an abundance of something. For example, "The company had a surplus of raw materials, so they had to find a way to use them up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That yields a surplus of $1.86 trillion.

The Economist

Tennis has had a surplus of comebacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Once, she froze a surplus of broccoli.

The New York Times

Thus, there currently is a surplus of REOs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In a sense, they produce a surplus of cash.

The New York Times - Sports

Ireland came second, with a surplus of 2% of GDP.

The Economist

We actually had a surplus of money by August".

Independent

A surplus of joy, a deficit on the current account.

The New York Times

By contrast, Germany has a surplus of 3%.

The Economist

Well, big surprise, there was a surplus of guys there.

The New York Times

In 2008, Germany ran a surplus of $235 billion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a surplus of" when you want to indicate that there is more of something than is needed or used. For example, "The company reported a surplus of profits this quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "a surplus of" when you actually mean there's a shortage or deficiency. A surplus indicates abundance, while a deficit means there is not enough.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surplus of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, indicating that there is more of something than is needed or expected. It's often used to describe quantities or resources. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a surplus of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that there is more of something than is required. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. It's important to use this phrase correctly, understanding it signifies an excess rather than a shortage. Related phrases include "an excess of", "an abundance of", and "a plethora of", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific context to ensure the most accurate and effective communication. Ludwig provides many real world examples that can aid in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excess of

Replaces "surplus" with "excess", emphasizing quantity beyond what is needed.

an overabundance of

A more emphatic way of saying "abundance", indicating too much.

an abundance of

Highlights a plentiful supply, focusing on a positive aspect of having enough.

a glut of

Suggests an oversupply that can depress prices or cause problems.

a surfeit of

Suggests an excessive amount, often to the point of causing discomfort or distaste.

a plethora of

Implies a great number, often more than necessary or desirable.

a wealth of

Indicates a large amount, often used in a positive or desirable context.

a profusion of

Emphasizes a lavish or extravagant amount.

a cornucopia of

Implies a horn of plenty, suggesting a great supply of diverse items.

an embarrassment of riches

Suggests having so many good things that it becomes difficult to choose.

FAQs

How can I use "a surplus of" in a sentence?

Use "a surplus of" to indicate an excess or overabundance of something. For example, "The farm experienced "a surplus of" corn this year", or "There's "a surplus of" qualified candidates for the job."

What are some alternatives to saying "a surplus of"?

You can use alternatives like "an excess of", "an abundance of", "a plethora of", or "a glut of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a surplus of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "a surplus of" is a standard and accepted way to describe having more than enough of something.

What's the difference between "a surplus of" and "a deficit of"?

"A surplus of" indicates that there is more than enough of something, while "a deficit of" indicates that there is not enough. For example, a company might have ""a surplus of" cash" but "a deficit of skilled workers".