excessive number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to describe a quantity that is greater than necessary or desired. For example, "The school has seen an excessive number of student absences this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Desserts are copious and, judging from the excessive number I sampled, exceptional.

The New York Times - Travel

The quarter did not have an excessive number of free throws -- 16 were attempted -- or fisticuffs.

The New York Times - Sports

My father added more flowers, an excessive number of them, until the man was satisfied.

The New Yorker

The Feast trial was stopped early when the excessive number of deaths became apparent.

The Guardian

Students are not responsible for the excessive number of bars within walking distance of our campuses.

The New York Times

Complaints about the excessive number of authorities involved in the programme have been particularly vociferous.

The Guardian

They avoid inaccurate extrapolations that could result in an excessive number of experiments to confirm predictions.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

However an excessive number of factors or levels are not considered.

Construction and Building Materials

In 2013, for instance, it fined TalkTalk £750,000 for an excessive number of silent and abandoned calls.

The Guardian - Money

They proudly document their work with an excessive number of examples, and I will pick just a few.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Republican National Committee meanwhile has struggled to find a stage big enough to hold an excessive number of candidates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive number", ensure the context clearly indicates what the appropriate or expected number should be. This provides a stronger sense of scale and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there is an "excessive number" without specifying what is being exceeded or what the expected amount should be. Provide context to highlight the excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive number" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "number". As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase indicates a quantity beyond what is considered necessary or desirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive number" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a quantity that is more than necessary or desirable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. As seen in the examples, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. When using "excessive number", ensure that the context provides clear indication of the expected amount and also consider alternatives like "unnecessary number" or "inordinate number" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary number

Emphasizes the lack of necessity rather than the overabundance itself.

undue number

Suggests that the quantity is inappropriate or unwarranted.

inordinate number

Highlights the quantity's deviation from the norm or expectation.

extravagant number

Implies that the quantity is wasteful or overly lavish.

surplus of

Focuses on the amount exceeding what is needed or used.

overabundance of

Highlights the bountiful and perhaps overwhelming nature of the quantity.

disproportionate amount

Indicates an imbalance in relation to other factors or elements.

immoderate quantity

Stresses the lack of restraint or moderation in the amount.

exorbitant quantity

Highlights that the quantity unreasonably exceeds the normal.

unreasonable amount

Points out the lack of logic or justification for the quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "excessive number" in a sentence?

Use "excessive number" to describe a quantity that is greater than necessary, desirable, or appropriate. For example, "The city experienced an "excessive number" of traffic accidents during the holiday season".

What are some alternatives to "excessive number"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unnecessary number", "undue number", or "inordinate number".

Is it better to say "excessive number" or "large number"?

"Excessive number" implies that the quantity is too much or undesirable, while "large number" simply indicates a high quantity without any negative connotation. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does "excessive number" suggest about the quantity being described?

"Excessive number" suggests that the quantity is beyond what is considered normal, acceptable, or useful, often implying a negative consequence or inefficiency.