an inordinate quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an inordinate quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or disproportionate amount of something. Example: "The project faced delays due to an inordinate quantity of paperwork that needed to be processed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Intrigued by the Powerball drawing of March 30 , 2005 which produced an inordinate quantity of winning lottery tickets because the lucky numbers had turned up in fortune cookies all around the country, Lee rides her obsession on a three-year, 42-state, 23-country journey during which she discovers that fortune cookies, like so much about America's Chinese restaurants, aren't really Chinese.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

THE NEW YORKER: Everyone's having an inordinate amount of fun.

The New Yorker

People are under an inordinate amount of stress.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is an inordinate amount of vacant land.

The New York Times - Arts

The Lakers showcase an inordinate amount of depth.

The New York Times

Our customers give us an inordinate amount of data.

The Guardian - Business

They also cause an inordinate amount of brain freeze.

The New Yorker

The kitchen has an inordinate amount of fun with dessert.

The New York Times

"He spent an inordinate amount of time with attorneys.

The New York Times

As a consequence, the large landowning families exercised an inordinate amount of economic and political power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Yes, I've spent an inordinate amount of time on a bicycle seat this year).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an inordinate quantity" to describe situations where the amount is surprisingly or inappropriately large, often leading to negative consequences or requiring special attention.

Common error

Avoid using "an inordinate quantity" when a neutral or positive connotation is intended. Opt for alternatives like "a significant amount" or "a generous quantity" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an inordinate quantity" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the amount of something as being excessive, disproportionate, or surprisingly large. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates that the quantity is beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an inordinate quantity" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English to describe an excessive or disproportionate amount of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that the amount is surprisingly or inappropriately large. While not extremely common, it's found primarily in news and media, and science, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of excessiveness, and consider alternatives like "a disproportionate amount" or "an excessive quantity" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disproportionate amount

Emphasizes the imbalance or lack of proportion.

an excessive quantity

Highlights the excessiveness or surplus.

a surplus quantity

Focuses on the idea of having more than needed.

an undue amount

Stresses the inappropriateness or unjustified nature of the quantity.

a superabundant quantity

Implies an overflowing or lavish amount.

a plethora

Suggests a large and often overwhelming amount.

an overabundance

Similar to excessive, but with a slightly more negative connotation.

a glut

Indicates an oversupply, often in a market context.

a profusion

Suggests an abundant and unrestrained outpouring.

a wealth

Implies a large and valuable quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "an inordinate quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "an inordinate quantity" to describe a surprisingly large or inappropriate amount of something, as in "The project faced delays due to "an inordinate quantity" of paperwork".

What can I say instead of "an inordinate quantity"?

You can use alternatives like "a disproportionate amount", "an excessive quantity", or "a surplus quantity" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "inordinate amount" instead of "an inordinate quantity"?

While "inordinate amount" is more common, "an inordinate quantity" is grammatically correct when referring to something that can be quantified. "Amount" is generally used for uncountable nouns, while "quantity" is for countable nouns.

What is the difference between "an inordinate quantity" and "a significant quantity"?

"An inordinate quantity" implies that the amount is excessive or disproportionate, often with negative connotations. "A significant quantity" simply means that the amount is noteworthy or considerable, without necessarily implying excess.