an excessive amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'an excessive amount of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an amount of something that is more than is necessary or desirable. For example: "She was spending an excessive amount of money on designer clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An oncocyte is an epithelial cell characterized by an excessive amount of mitochondria.

Disease Markers

It was, said Angie, "an excessive amount of money.

The Guardian

"I have an excessive amount of energy and stamina and determination".

The New York Times

Surely this is an excessive amount of money to spend on this project.

The New York Times

There isn't an excessive amount of buttercream on these cakes – just enough to cap each one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be safe, just say it is an excessive amount of money, especially in this economy.

The New York Times - Sports

He also said the trusts do not use an excessive amount of borrowed money.

The New York Times

A decade would seem to be an excessive amount of time to wait for public toilets in New York City.

The New York Times

And as for breaking, well, you kids have done an excessive amount of that already, right?" We still said nothing.

The New Yorker

In the bulb fields an excessive amount of pesticide is sprayed and it has made some workers ill.

The New Yorker

Mr. Finkelstein said Ms. Lo, 74, believed that Mr. Williams was tired from "working an excessive amount of hours".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excessive amount of", consider the specific context and whether a more precise synonym would be more impactful. For example, instead of "an excessive amount of rain", you could say "torrential rain".

Common error

Avoid using "an excessive amount of" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms like "surplus", "overabundance", or more specific terms related to the noun you're describing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excessive amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered too much or undesirable. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies that the quantity exceeds what is necessary or acceptable. Examples confirm that this phrase applies to both countable and uncountable nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Wiki

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excessive amount of" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to describe a quantity that is more than necessary or desirable. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for both countable and uncountable nouns and carries a generally neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and informal discussions. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider context-specific synonyms for better impact. Common errors include using incorrect articles (e.g., "a excessive") or redundancy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inordinate quantity of

Emphasizes that the amount is beyond what is considered normal or reasonable.

an immoderate quantity of

Highlights the lack of restraint or moderation in the amount.

an overabundance of

Highlights the plentiful and often unnecessary nature of the quantity.

a superabundance of

Similar to "overabundance" but perhaps with a slightly more formal tone.

a disproportionate amount of

Implies the amount is unfairly or inappropriately large compared to something else.

a surplus of

Indicates more than enough, with a slightly more positive connotation than "excessive".

a glut of

Implies an oversupply that can lead to problems, such as lower prices or wasted resources.

a plethora of

Suggests a large and impressive quantity, sometimes implying overwhelming choice.

a great deal of

A more general phrase for a large quantity, lacking the negative connotation of "excessive".

too much

A simple and direct way to express that the quantity is unwanted or problematic.

FAQs

How can I use "an excessive amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "an excessive amount of" to describe something that is more than necessary or desirable. For example: "She used "an excessive amount of" sugar in her coffee."

What's a more formal way to say "an excessive amount of"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "an inordinate quantity of" or "a disproportionate amount of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "an excessive amount of" or "a excessive amount of"?

"An excessive amount of" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What can I say instead of "an excessive amount of" when describing something positive?

While "an excessive amount of" usually has a negative connotation, you could use "a surplus of" or "an overabundance of" when you want to describe a large quantity in a more positive light, depending on the context.