an excess of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an excess of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an amount that is more than enough. For example: "The amount of milk in the refrigerator was an excess of what we needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An exploratory test for an excess of significant findings.

The Guardian

There is an excess of treacle.

The New York Times - Arts

It leads to an excess of caution.

The New York Times

Is this an excess of razzle-dazzle?

The New York Times - Arts

Obesity is an excess of body fat.

Harvard University

He loves people with an excess of love.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'd become sick from an excess of consciousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Aylmer suffers a little from an excess of youth.

The New York Times - Arts

"There is an excess of diesel fuel in Turkey.

The New York Times

This creates an excess of suggestion that muddies his story.

The Guardian - Books

The problem is the biographer's paradox: an excess of access.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excess of", ensure the noun that follows is appropriate for expressing quantity or degree. For example, "an excess of caution" or "an excess of resources" are suitable phrases.

Common error

Avoid using "an excess of" with concepts that aren't quantifiable or don't typically express a degree. For example, instead of saying "an excess of happy", consider "excessive happiness" or "an abundance of joy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excess of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the presence of a quantity or amount that is greater than what is needed, desired, or considered normal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excess of" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase for indicating that something is present in a quantity greater than needed or desired. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in written English. It is prevalent across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse, although it's most frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the noun that follows it is appropriate for expressing a quantifiable amount or degree. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, you can use alternatives such as "a surplus of" or "an abundance of" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surplus of

Replaces "excess" with "surplus", indicating a quantity greater than what is needed.

an abundance of

Replaces "excess" with "abundance", suggesting a plentiful or overflowing amount.

a plethora of

Uses "plethora" to denote a large or excessive quantity, often implying an overwhelming amount.

an overabundance of

Adds "over-" to "abundance" for emphasis, highlighting the excessive nature.

too much

A simpler, more direct way of expressing that there is more than needed.

a glut of

Suggests an oversupply that can lead to problems, like a market glut.

a lavish amount of

Emphasizes the generosity or extravagance of the quantity.

a superabundance of

Implies a very high degree of abundance, more than just a simple excess.

an embarrassment of riches

An idiomatic expression suggesting such an excess of good things that it can be overwhelming or difficult to manage.

more than enough

A straightforward way to indicate that the quantity is sufficient and perhaps even excessive.

FAQs

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

Use "an excess of" to indicate that there is more of something than is necessary or desirable. For example: "There was "an excess of food" at the party".

What are some alternatives to saying "an excess of"?

You can use phrases like "a surplus of", "an abundance of", or "a plethora of" as alternatives to "an excess of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "an excess of" or "excessive"?

The choice between "an excess of" and "excessive" depends on the sentence structure. "An excess of" is followed by a noun (e.g., "an excess of sugar"), while "excessive" is an adjective that modifies a noun (e.g., "excessive sugar consumption").

Can "an excess of" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "an excess of" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very informal contexts, simpler phrases like "too much" or "more than enough" might be preferred.