an overwhelming number

USAGE SUMMARY

"an overwhelming number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a very large quantity of something. For example, "I faced an overwhelming number of job applications and couldn't decide which candidate to hire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Happily, in an overwhelming number of cases they have.

The Guardian - Film

No need to wade through an overwhelming number of options.

The New York Times

Excessive speed, for example, is implicated in an overwhelming number of fatal crashes.

The New Yorker

It also skips reggae and Latin pop, which present an overwhelming number of releases.

The New York Times

He did not blame Congress for an overwhelming number of requests.

The New York Times

The Yankees have 87 victories, which is not an overwhelming number.

The New York Times - Sports

As of writing it has attracted 1,610 "members", not an overwhelming number for four days.

The Guardian

But an overwhelming number of responders were tweeting at us from their offices.

The Guardian - Sport

Even offers of free or discounted services have not drawn an overwhelming number of requests.

The New York Times

AS the Beauty Spots columnist, I receive an overwhelming number of samples.

The New York Times

And polls found that he had turned off an overwhelming number of voters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overwhelming number", consider following it with a phrase that specifies what the number refers to, providing context and clarity.

Common error

While "overwhelming" often implies a negative sense of being burdened, remember it primarily indicates a very large quantity. Sometimes, "an overwhelming number" can describe a positive abundance. The meaning comes from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a large and often unmanageable quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming number" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this. While often implying a negative sense of being burdened, it can also denote a positive abundance depending on context. It's versatile across news, academic, and scientific writing, offering a neutral yet impactful way to convey magnitude. Remember to consider the specific nuance you wish to communicate when choosing between "an overwhelming number" and similar alternatives like "a significant quantity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant quantity

Replaces "overwhelming" with "significant", focusing on the importance of the quantity rather than its impact.

a substantial amount

Emphasizes the largeness of the amount.

a large proportion

Focuses on the part of a whole that is significant.

a great many

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to indicate a large number.

a multitude of

Implies a very large and often uncountable number.

countless instances

Highlights the repeated occurrence of something.

a plethora of

Indicates an abundance or excess.

an abundance of

Similar to "a plethora of", but perhaps less exaggerated.

a sea of

Uses a metaphor to describe a vast quantity.

a mountain of

Another metaphor to represent a large and imposing quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming number" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming number" to describe a situation where there's a very large quantity of something, often implying that it's difficult to manage or process. For example, "The library received an overwhelming number of donations this year."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant quantity", "a substantial amount", or "a large proportion" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to describe something as 'overwhelming'?

No, although "overwhelming" often suggests a negative feeling of being burdened, it can also simply mean a very large quantity. The context determines whether it carries a negative or neutral connotation.

What's the difference between "an overwhelming number" and "a significant number"?

"An overwhelming number" suggests a quantity so large it's difficult to handle or ignore, whereas "a significant number" simply implies that the quantity is important or noteworthy.