an excessive quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excessive quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where there is more of something than is considered normal or acceptable. Example: "The project was delayed due to an excessive quantity of paperwork that needed to be processed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Baldness ensues when too many follicles enter the resting stage, and that happens in male pattern baldness because of an excessive quantity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the male hormone, within each follicle.

The New York Times - Health

If the flow of dollars into Switzerland were to assume massive proportions in the coming days, it could pose a problem for the Swiss authorities, which are under domestic pressure not to hold an excessive quantity of dollars in their official reserves.

The New York Times

However, an excessive quantity of rutile nanorods created an obstacle to the electrons moving in the TiO2 thin film.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Besides contributing to the reduction process, this information reinforces the assumption that the full version of MIA has an excessive quantity of items.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Sir Nathaniel died in 1636 after accidentally drinking an excessive quantity of liquid metal.

Vice

There were an excessive quantity of apoptotic bodies, higher number of annexin V+/PI- cells, and reduced clearance of follicular apoptotic cells in the course of schistosomiasis.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They will have to pat you down and remove any excessive quantity of non-Muslim religious literature.

Huffington Post

So I'll be making some trifles in the morning in an attempt to distract myself from the excessive quantity of chocolate that will be hidden around the house.

Independent

However, the excessive quantity of pollen dispersal of most spray cut chrysanthemum is an adverse factor during its flowering stage, and can significantly reduce its ornamental value and quickly shorten its vase life.

BMC Plant Biology

There is increasing awareness that solutions to degraded quality and excessive quantity of stormwater and resulting impacts on downstream water bodies may require a watershed approach to management rather that the incremental approach that is now common.

Ecological Modelling

Therefore, a proper amount of HfB2 is helpful for improving the oxidation resistance of the SiC coating, while excessive quantity of HfB2 caused some defects in the coating due to its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatches with that of the substrate.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excessive quantity of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the quantity is problematic. Be specific about the negative consequences.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "an excessive quantity of" can sometimes sound unnecessarily formal. Consider simpler alternatives like "too much" or "a surplus of" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excessive quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the amount of something is more than what is considered acceptable, desirable, or manageable. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excessive quantity of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that the amount of something is more than desirable, often implying negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied reliable contexts.

While the phrase is accurate, it can sometimes sound overly formal; consider alternatives like "too much" or "a surplus of" for clearer communication. The phrase sees frequent application in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Ensure the context makes clear the reason why the quantity is problematic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surplus of

Focuses on having more than what is needed or used.

an overabundance of

Highlights a plentiful and often unnecessary amount.

an excess of

A more concise way to indicate too much of something.

too much

A simple and direct way to express having more than enough.

a plethora of

Suggests a large and impressive quantity, sometimes excessively so.

a glut of

Implies an oversupply that can cause problems or lower value.

a profusion of

Emphasizes the lavish or unrestrained quality of the excess.

an inordinate amount of

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

a vast quantity of

Emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity.

an undue amount of

Suggests that the quantity is inappropriate or unwarranted.

FAQs

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

Use "an excessive quantity of" to describe situations where there is more of something than is desirable or manageable. For example, "The delay was caused by an excessive quantity of paperwork."

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a surplus of", "an overabundance of", or "too much" as alternatives to "an excessive quantity of".

Is it better to say "an excessive amount of" or "an excessive quantity of"?

Both "an excessive amount of" and "an excessive quantity of" are grammatically correct, but "amount" is generally used for uncountable nouns, while "quantity" is used for countable nouns. Choose the word that best fits the noun you are describing.

What is the difference between "excessive" and "a lot of"?

"Excessive" implies that there is too much of something, more than is necessary or desirable. "A lot of" simply indicates a large amount, without necessarily implying that it's too much. "An excessive quantity of" suggests more than "a lot of", in a negative way.