an overwhelming amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is so large it is difficult to manage or comprehend. Example: "The project faced an overwhelming amount of data that needed to be analyzed before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But an overwhelming amount of fear and anxiety is debilitating.

The New York Times - Arts

But what surprised us was that along with that sadness was an overwhelming amount of support.

The New York Times

All they're saying is, there is a considerable amount, an overwhelming amount, of reasonable doubt".

The New York Times

So it's almost an overwhelming amount of that when you are actually home.

The Guardian - Music

Personalization and matching are important because the Internet gives customers an overwhelming amount of information.

The New York Times - Tech

"There has been an overwhelming amount of publicity in this case," she said.

The Guardian

"He can handle an overwhelming amount of information," Dr. McCosker said.

The New York Times - Science

You have an overwhelming amount of poverty that tilts the dynamics, the behavior and the perception of the city.

The New York Times

The talks, performances, screenings and exhibitions presented an overwhelming amount of information on a subject many of us ignore.

Independent

"That's an overwhelming amount of reason to fire his weapon," Mr. Worth said in Officer Carey's defense.

The New York Times

According to the site, an overwhelming amount of material — about eight years of content — are added every day by users.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overwhelming amount of", ensure the noun it modifies is appropriate for conveying a sense of being difficult to manage due to sheer size or quantity. For instance, "an overwhelming amount of information" works well, but "an overwhelming amount of pebbles" might be less effective unless the context emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with so many pebbles.

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming amount of" when a simpler term like "significant" or "substantial" would suffice. Overusing "overwhelming" can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. For example, describing a moderately busy coffee shop as having "an overwhelming amount of customers" is likely an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming amount of" functions as a quantifier, specifically modifying a noun to indicate a large, often unmanageable, quantity. Ludwig shows it is used to emphasize the scale or degree of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming amount of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a quantity so large that it presents a challenge. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, finding frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the emphasis on quantity and potential difficulty. Alternatives such as "a vast quantity of" or "a tremendous volume of" can be used, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase serves to emphasize scale and abundance and implies a significant impact or potential problem stemming from the large quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vast quantity of

Emphasizes the large scale or extent of something.

a tremendous volume of

Highlights the sheer size and capacity involved.

an excessive quantity of

Focuses on the idea that there is too much of something, perhaps more than is needed or desired.

a plethora of

Suggests an abundance or profusion of something.

a mountain of

Uses a metaphor to convey the large size or amount.

an abundance of

Emphasizes that there is more than enough of something.

a great deal of

Indicates a large quantity, though perhaps not as extreme as "overwhelming".

a profusion of

Suggests a rich and abundant supply.

a cornucopia of

Implies a horn of plenty, a symbol of abundance and nourishment.

a sea of

Metaphorically describes a vast and seemingly endless quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "an overwhelming amount of" to describe a quantity so large it is difficult to manage or comprehend, such as, "The data science project faced an overwhelming amount of data that needed to be analyzed before the deadline".

What can I say instead of "an overwhelming amount of"?

You can use alternatives like "a vast quantity of", "a tremendous volume of", or "an excessive quantity of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "an overwhelming amount of" or "a considerable amount of"?

While both phrases indicate a large quantity, "an overwhelming amount of" suggests the quantity is so large that it is difficult to manage or deal with, whereas "a considerable amount of" simply indicates a notable quantity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of quantity you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "an overwhelming amount of" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "an overwhelming amount of" in formal writing when you need to emphasize the sheer size or scale of something that is creating a challenge or significant impact. However, ensure the context justifies the intensity of the word "overwhelming" and that it doesn't sound hyperbolic or exaggerated.