in excess

USAGE SUMMARY

'in excess' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount which is considerably greater than what is usually, or would normally, be expected. For example: "The company's profits had increased in excess of 20% this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything about this video is insane and in excess.

Vice

The presale estimate is "in excess of $80 million".

Huffington Post

This is caution in excess.

The Economist

Offers in excess of £3.5m".

Independent

Everything in excess".

The New Yorker

Now there's in excess of 250.

The New York Times

Yes, overconfidence can result in excess.

The New York Times - Books

Nothing was ever in excess.

The New York Times

Posen has all these qualities in excess.

The New York Times - Magazine

The pinstriped express rolls on, in excess.

The New York Times - Sports

Winds in excess of 35mph," said Reidy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in excess", ensure it clearly quantifies or qualifies what is being exceeded. For instance, "spending in excess of budget" is more informative than simply "spending in excess".

Common error

While "in excess" is generally correct, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more direct verbs or adjectives like "exceeds", "surpasses", or "abundant" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in excess" functions as a prepositional phrase, primarily used to modify nouns or verbs by specifying an amount or degree that is surpassed. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts, confirming its role in quantitative or qualitative augmentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in excess" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is greater than a specified amount or degree. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage, especially in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for stronger alternatives when appropriate. Remember to quantify what is being exceeded for clarity, and be mindful of the difference between "in excess" (a prepositional phrase) and "excessive" (an adjective). Numerous examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its versatility in conveying abundance or surpassing a defined limit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in surplus

Focuses on the state of having a quantity that exceeds what is needed.

in abundance

Emphasizes a plentiful or overflowing quantity.

more than is necessary

Highlights a quantity exceeding requirements.

more than enough

Highlights the idea of having a surplus or ample quantity.

exceeding the norm

Indicates a deviation from what is considered standard or typical.

over and above

Indicates an amount that is additional to what is required or expected.

beyond the limit

Emphasizes surpassing a defined boundary or restriction.

to an extreme degree

Highlights the intensity or extent of something surpassing a typical level.

past the threshold

Focuses on exceeding a critical point or boundary.

in exorbitant amounts

Stresses that something is much more than expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "in excess" to indicate that something is greater than a specified amount or degree. For example, "The damages awarded were in excess of $1 million."

What are some alternatives to "in excess"?

Alternatives include "more than", "beyond", "exceeding", or "surpassing", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "more than" or "in excess of"?

"More than" is generally more concise and suitable for everyday use. "In excess of" is more formal and often used in legal or technical contexts.

What's the difference between "in excess" and "excessive"?

"In excess" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying an amount or degree that is surpassed. "Excessive" is an adjective describing something that is too much or goes beyond what is reasonable.