an excessive number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an excessive number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a large or unreasonable amount of something. Example: The company hired an excessive number of employees, causing financial strain and inefficiency in the workplace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This produces an excessive number of districts in which support for gun safety is lower than national averages.

Huffington Post

An Irish pumping station was experiencing an excessive number of call-outs to remove blockages from ragging.

World Pumps

The quarter did not have an excessive number of free throws -- 16 were attempted -- or fisticuffs.

The New York Times - Sports

My father added more flowers, an excessive number of them, until the man was satisfied.

The New Yorker

However an excessive number of factors or levels are not considered.

Construction and Building Materials

In 2013, for instance, it fined TalkTalk £750,000 for an excessive number of silent and abandoned calls.

The Guardian - Money

They proudly document their work with an excessive number of examples, and I will pick just a few.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Republican National Committee meanwhile has struggled to find a stage big enough to hold an excessive number of candidates.

The Guardian

And the protagonist's racist rants, while crucial to the plot, do occupy an excessive number of pages.

The New Yorker

He was also said to have held an excessive number of predraft sessions in 2009 and 2010.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a cardinal, however, Pope Benedict said several times that he was not in favor of naming an excessive number of saints.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excessive number of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the quantity is problematic or undesirable. For example, "An excessive number of rules can stifle creativity."

Common error

Avoid using redundant qualifiers with "an excessive number of". Phrases like "a highly excessive number" or "a very excessive number" are unnecessarily repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excessive number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered too great or beyond what is needed or acceptable. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excessive number of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a quantity that is more than what is needed or desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across diverse contexts including news, scientific research, and academic discourse, mostly in formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies why the quantity is considered problematic. Alternatives such as "a disproportionate amount of" or "too many" can be used to adjust the tone or emphasis. Avoid redundancy by omitting unnecessary qualifiers like "very" or "highly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too many

This is a simpler and more direct way of expressing that the quantity is more than desired.

an inordinate amount of

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

a disproportionate amount of

This alternative emphasizes the imbalance or lack of proportionality in the quantity.

an unreasonable quantity of

Focuses on the fact that the amount is not justifiable or sensible.

a surplus of

This suggests that there is more than what is needed or expected.

more than enough

Indicates that the quantity surpasses what is required or sufficient.

a glut of

Suggests an oversupply that can potentially have negative consequences.

an overabundance of

This term highlights the richness and profusion of the quantity.

a plethora of

Implies a vast and perhaps overwhelming quantity.

a great deal of

Suggests a large quantity, though not necessarily negative.

FAQs

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

Use "an excessive number of" to describe a quantity that is more than necessary, desirable, or manageable. For example, "The project failed due to "an excessive number of" revisions".

What are some alternatives to "an excessive number of"?

Alternatives include "a disproportionate amount of", "a surplus of", or "too many", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an excessive amount of" instead of "an excessive number of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "number" is typically used with countable nouns, while "amount" is used with uncountable nouns. For example, "an excessive number of cars" versus "an excessive amount of traffic".

What's the difference between "an excessive number of" and "a sufficient number of"?

"An excessive number of" implies that there is too much, while "a sufficient number of" indicates that there is enough, or the required amount. They are antonyms.