all too many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too many" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean "much more than is acceptable or desirable". For example, "These days, all too many people are spending more money than they can afford."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ALL too many presidential candidates look perfect-as-plastic.

The Economist

Some times (all too many times) they are better than the game itself.

TechCrunch

"All too many.

The New York Times

There have been all too many.

The New Yorker

This fate befalls all too many relationships.

The Guardian - Books

Other people have all too many ideas.

The New York Times - Style

Sadly, all too many people do.

The Guardian - Opinion

All too many doctors think so too.

The New York Times - Health

But for all too many men, there is no rescue.

The Guardian

They still are in all too many places.

The New York Times - Arts

For openers, all too many directors and actors need it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too many" to express concern or disapproval about a quantity that is higher than desired or expected. For example: "All too many students are struggling with student debt."

Common error

Avoid using "all too many" in neutral contexts where you simply want to state a quantity without implying a negative judgment. Instead, use phrases like "a large number of" or "many".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too many" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "many". It modifies a noun phrase, indicating that the quantity is excessive and undesirable. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too many" is a versatile phrase used to express that something exists in an undesirable or excessive quantity. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is primarily used in News & Media and Business contexts with a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intention to convey disapproval or concern about the quantity, and consider using alternatives like "far too many" or "an excessive number of" for varied expression. Be mindful of the connotation and avoid using it in neutral situations where a negative judgment is not intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far too many

Emphasizes the excessiveness even more strongly.

way too many

More informal way to express excessiveness.

too numerous

More formal and direct synonym for "too many".

excessive number of

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal and direct description.

overly abundant

Highlights that the quantity is more than what is needed or desirable.

too great a number of

More emphatic and descriptive, highlighting the magnitude.

an abundance of

Focuses on the large quantity, potentially more positive or neutral than the original.

a surplus of

Implies that there is more than what is required.

a plethora of

Suggests a rich and perhaps overwhelming amount.

more than acceptable

Focuses on the unacceptability of the quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "all too many" in a sentence?

Use "all too many" to express that there is a greater quantity of something than is desirable or acceptable. For example, "All too many people are affected by this issue".

What phrases can I use instead of "all too many"?

Alternatives include "far too many", "excessive number of", or "too numerous", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "all too many" a formal or informal expression?

"All too many" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in writing and slightly more formal speech. Consider the audience and adjust accordingly. If the context is highly formal, more direct alternatives like "excessive number of" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "too many" and "all too many"?

While both phrases indicate a large quantity, "all too many" adds a layer of disappointment or disapproval. "Too many" simply states the quantity, whereas "all too many" suggests the quantity is undesirable or problematic. For example, "There are too many cars on the road" vs. "There are all too many accidents on this intersection".