be in excess of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in excess of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a quantity or amount surpasses a certain limit or threshold. Example: "The total cost of the project is expected to be in excess of $1 million."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kickbacks from arms deals, believed to be in excess of €80m, could also used.

The Guardian

(The equivalent sum for the EU today would be in excess of $800bn).

The Guardian - Opinion

"In some cases, the penalty can be in excess of $1 million".

The New York Times

Jonathan Shalit's legal costs were reckoned to be in excess of £250,000.

The Guardian

He has more than earned his fee – rumoured to be in excess of £1m.

The Guardian

"We expect the return on this will be in excess of $100,000 annually," he said.

The New York Times

Money changing hands at the event is expected to be in excess of last year's £26m.

The Guardian

The maximum pun ishment could be in excess of 35 years at hard labor.

The New York Times

"The average sale price will likely be in excess of what was paid".

The New York Times

But the smart money is on Accell progressing the deal: the likely purchase price will be in excess of £60m.

The Guardian - Opinion

No details of the settlement were given, but it is understood to be in excess of £100,000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be in excess of", ensure the context clearly specifies the quantity or limit being exceeded. For instance, "The budget is expected to be in excess of $1 million."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be in excess of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "more than" or "over" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in excess of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is greater than a specified amount or limit. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly used to quantify amounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be in excess of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something exceeds a specific amount or limit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide a minimum quantity or value in a sentence. While versatile, it's generally more appropriate for formal contexts such as news reports, business documents, and scientific articles. When less formality is required, alternatives like "more than" or "over" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed

A more concise and direct synonym, suitable for formal contexts.

surpass

Implies going beyond a certain level or expectation.

be greater than

A simpler and more straightforward way to express the same idea.

go beyond

Suggests exceeding a boundary or limitation.

be more than

A basic and easily understood alternative.

outstrip

Indicates surpassing something, often in a competitive sense.

top

Informal, meaning to exceed or surpass a particular level.

be over

A less formal but common way to indicate exceeding an amount.

rise above

Implies exceeding a standard or challenge.

overreach

To go too far, exceeding appropriate limits (may have negative connotations).

FAQs

How can I use "be in excess of" in a sentence?

Use "be in excess of" to indicate that a quantity or amount surpasses a certain limit or threshold, such as "The project's costs are expected to be in excess of $1 million."

What are some alternatives to "be in excess of"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed", "surpass", or "be greater than" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be in excess of" or "exceed"?

Both "be in excess of" and "exceed" are correct, but "be in excess of" is generally more formal. Choose the option that best suits the tone of your writing or speech.

What's the difference between "be in excess of" and "more than"?

"Be in excess of" is typically used in more formal contexts to indicate that a quantity exceeds a specific amount, while "more than" is a simpler and more common phrase suitable for everyday use.