a surplus quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a surplus quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to economics, inventory, or resource management to describe an amount that exceeds what is necessary or required. Example: "The warehouse is currently holding a surplus quantity of goods that need to be sold to make space for new inventory."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1773 Parliament passed a Tea Act designed to aid the financially troubled East India Company by granting it (1) a monopoly on all tea exported to the colonies, (2) an exemption on the export tax, and (3) a "drawback" (refund) on duties owed on certain surplus quantities of tea in its possession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the same time, there are a number of legitimate Chinese producers of branded products, that sell surplus quantities illegally.

WikiHow

For the large livestock farms, there is a surplus of biogas quantity which predominates the cooking and lighting needs, and this leads to CH4 emission into the environment [52] and causes a waste in renewable energy and an increase in greenhouse gases emission.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Have a surplus?

The New York Times

a surplus.

The Guardian - Books

But what constitutes a surplus?

The New York Times - Health

Some companies have a surplus.

The New York Times

A small surplus, but a surplus.

The Washington Post

They often end up with a surplus.

The New York Times

That yields a surplus of $1.86 trillion.

The Economist

A surplus is never surplus to requirements.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing inventory or resource management, use "a surplus quantity" to clearly indicate an amount exceeding requirements. For example, "The company reported a surplus quantity of raw materials due to decreased production."

Common error

Avoid using "a surplus quantity" when simpler terms like "extra" or "excess" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted. Rather than saying "we have a surplus quantity of chairs", consider "we have extra chairs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surplus quantity" functions as a noun phrase that typically modifies another noun to specify the amount or extent exceeding what is required or used. Ludwig AI indicates that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a surplus quantity" is grammatically correct and used to describe an amount exceeding what is needed, with Ludwig AI confirming its usability. While generally appropriate, it is most common in scientific, business, and news contexts. Simpler terms like "extra" or "excess" might be preferable in informal settings. Alternatives include "excess quantity" or "surplus amount". When writing, consider the formality of your audience; while "a surplus quantity" accurately conveys the idea of excess, simpler alternatives might better suit less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excess quantity

Focuses on the idea of exceeding a required or normal amount; more direct.

surplus amount

Uses a different noun to describe the surplus, slightly altering the emphasis.

excessive quantity

Highlights that the quantity is beyond what is considered acceptable or reasonable.

overabundance

Emphasizes the plentiful nature of the surplus, using a single word.

glut

A concise term for an excessive supply, often in a market context.

plethora

Indicates a large or excessive amount of something.

superabundance

A more formal way of saying overabundance, stressing a very high quantity.

extra quantity

Suggests an amount that is additional to what is needed.

reserve quantity

Refers to an amount kept back or saved, suggesting potential use in the future.

redundant quantity

Implies the quantity is more than necessary and possibly unnecessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "a surplus quantity" to describe an amount of something that is more than what is needed or expected. For instance: "The store had "a surplus quantity" of unsold merchandise after the holiday season".

What are some alternatives to "a surplus quantity"?

Alternatives to "a surplus quantity" include "excess quantity", "surplus amount", or simply "excess", depending on the context.

Is "a surplus quantity" formal or informal?

"A surplus quantity" is generally considered a formal term, suitable for business, academic, or technical contexts. Simpler terms may be preferable in informal settings.

What's the difference between "a surplus quantity" and "an excess quantity"?

While both phrases refer to an amount that is more than needed, ""a surplus quantity"" often implies that the extra amount is still useful or manageable, whereas "an excess quantity" might suggest a problem of oversupply or waste.