excessive number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is more than the usual amount. For example: "The excessive number of tourists at the beach gave rise to concerns about overcrowding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

And the protagonist's racist rants, while crucial to the plot, do occupy an excessive number of pages.

The New Yorker

He was also said to have held an excessive number of predraft sessions in 2009 and 2010.

The New York Times - Sports

As a cardinal, however, Pope Benedict said several times that he was not in favor of naming an excessive number of saints.

The New York Times

Opponents also complained that an excessive number of young bears were killed in the hunt, in which hunters were allowed to kill bears of any size or age.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive number of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the quantity is problematic or undesirable. For example: "The excessive number of meetings hindered productivity."

Common error

Avoid using "excessive number of" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise quantitative language might be preferred. Instead of saying "An excessive number of participants were excluded" consider "A disproportionately high percentage of participants were excluded."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive number of" functions as a pre-modifier, specifically as a determiner phrase, to quantify and characterize a noun. It indicates that the quantity being described is beyond what is considered normal, acceptable, or desirable. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive number of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a quantity that is more than necessary or desirable. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It is employed across various domains, including news, science, and general discourse. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly explains why the quantity is problematic. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more precise language in highly formal or academic writing. Its function is to express concern and highlight problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prohibitive number of

Indicates a quantity so high it prevents something from happening.

undue number of

Suggests a number that is inappropriate or unwarranted.

unnecessary number of

Highlights that the quantity is not required or needed.

exorbitant number of

Implies the quantity is excessively high and often unreasonable.

exaggerated number of

Suggests the quantity is overstated or inflated.

inflated number of

Similar to exaggerated, suggesting an artificial increase in quantity.

extensive number of

Indicates a large quantity, but not necessarily in a negative way.

extravagant number of

Implies a lavish or wasteful quantity.

inordinate number of

Indicates a quantity that is out of proportion or irregular.

unreasonable number of

Highlights that the amount is not fair or sensible.

FAQs

How can I use "excessive number of" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive number of" to describe a situation where there is more of something than is necessary, desirable, or acceptable. For example, "The "excessive number of complaints" led to an investigation."

What phrases are similar to "excessive number of"?

Alternatives to "excessive number of" include phrases like "prohibitive number of", "undue number of", or "unnecessary number of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "excessive number of" or "too many"?

"Excessive number of" is more formal than "too many". Use "excessive number of" in professional or academic contexts, and "too many" in informal settings.

How does "excessive number of" differ from "large number of"?

"Large number of" simply indicates a significant quantity. "Excessive number of" implies that the quantity is so great that it is problematic or undesirable. The key difference lies in the negative connotation associated with "excessive number of".