an excess amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"an excess amount" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any amount that is more than what is necessary or expected. For example, "After I bought the house, I spent an excess amount of money on renovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was giving my mother a portion, but I had an excess amount for myself".

The New York Times

I sometimes hang up phones with an excess amount of enthusiasm after a call hasn't gone my way".

The New York Times

Table 1: Electrical conductivity of roGO produced by the reduction of different oGO using an excess amount of hydrazine.

Nature

However, an excess amount of Na12 salt also formed phase-separated domains.

Polymer

Pathogenic plasma cells that have distinct cytogenetic and molecular properties secrete an excess amount of amyloidogenic light chains.

Blood Reviews

The symbol of poverty is an abundance of drinking establishments and churches, and we're fast approaching an excess amount of churches".

The New York Times

The addition of an excess amount of HMPA induced syndiotactic-specificity that gradually enhanced as the feed monomer was consumed.

Polymer

Furthermore, the monovalent selective membrane enables the preferential removal of sodium in an excess amount of calcium.

Electrochimica Acta

To decrease the internal stress, we cured the epoxy resin with an excess amount of curing agents.

Polymer

The process required an excess amount of OH− since otherwise azulmin was formed by the side reaction.

Electrochimica Acta

In the case of KO2, an excess amount of 18-crown-6 was added to dissolve the KO2 and thus enhance its reactivity.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excess amount", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expected or normal amount is. This provides a frame of reference for understanding the excess.

Common error

Avoid using "an excess amount" when a more precise quantifier is available. Instead of saying "an excess amount of data", specify "a terabyte" or "more than the allocated limit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excess amount" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a quantity that surpasses what is necessary or expected. The phrase often modifies another noun, such as "an excess amount of inventory" or "an excess amount of energy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excess amount" is a versatile phrase used to describe quantities exceeding the norm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, from science to news. While appropriate for formal contexts, avoid overuse by opting for more precise quantifiers when possible. Remember, the phrase implies that the quantity is more than what is needed or expected, often with a negative connotation. Consider related phrases like ""a surplus quantity"" or ""an overabundance"" for nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surplus quantity

Focuses on the idea of having more than what is needed, emphasizing the extra quantity.

an overabundance

Highlights the excessive nature of the amount, suggesting a plentiful or even overwhelming quantity.

a disproportionate quantity

Emphasizes the imbalance or lack of proportion in the amount, suggesting it is inappropriately large.

a redundant quantity

Indicates the amount is unnecessary or superfluous, implying it serves no practical purpose.

a gratuitous quantity

Stresses the uncalled-for or unwarranted nature of the amount, suggesting it is excessive without justification.

an inordinate quantity

Implies the amount is beyond reasonable limits or expectations, highlighting its excessiveness.

a superfluous quantity

Similar to redundant, but highlights the unnecessity from the perspective of something already sufficient.

a glut of

Focuses on an excessive supply, typically in a market or economic context.

a surfeit of

Highlights the unpleasantness or discomfort caused by the excess, implying satiety or overindulgence.

a plethora of

Emphasizes the abundance and variety of something, suggesting a wide range of options or examples.

FAQs

How can I use "an excess amount" in a sentence?

You can use "an excess amount" to describe a quantity that is more than what is necessary, desirable, or usual. For example, "The company reported "an excess amount" of inventory due to decreased sales".

What are some alternatives to "an excess amount"?

Some alternatives to "an excess amount" include "a surplus quantity", "an overabundance", or "a disproportionate quantity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "an excess amount" or "too much"?

"An excess amount" is generally more formal than "too much". Use "an excess amount" in professional or academic writing, and "too much" in informal contexts. The best choice depends on the specific register and audience.

What's the difference between "an excess amount" and "a significant amount"?

"An excess amount" implies that the quantity is more than what is needed or expected, whereas "a significant amount" simply means the quantity is large or noteworthy. The former carries a connotation of being superfluous or undesirable, while the latter is neutral.