in excess of

USAGE SUMMARY

'in excess of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is greater than what is expected or usual. For example, "The team is spending in excess of $1 million on their new marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Huffington Post

Offers in excess of £3.5m".

Independent

Now there's in excess of 250.

The New York Times

Winds in excess of 35mph," said Reidy.

The Guardian

"Today there are in excess of 500.

The New York Times

There were in excess of 30 reports.

The Guardian

Today, we're doing in excess of $200 million.

The New York Times

Many of them are in excess of 20 years old.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prewar the population was in excess of 3 million.

The Guardian

Marbury is owed in excess of $21 million this season.

The New York Times - Sports

It is all in excess of the story.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in excess of" to add a formal tone when specifying amounts or quantities that exceed a certain value. For instance, in legal or business documents, it provides a precise way to describe exceeding limits or expectations.

Common error

While "in excess of" is useful, avoid using it when simpler alternatives like "more than" or "over" are clearer and more concise. Overusing formal phrases can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in excess of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to quantify amounts, sizes, speeds, or values that surpass a specified limit. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, commonly used to indicate something is greater than expected or usual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in excess of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that a quantity, amount, or value is greater than a specified limit. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, particularly in contexts where a formal tone is appropriate. It commonly appears in news, science, and formal business communications to provide a clear and precise indication that a defined threshold has been surpassed. While simpler alternatives exist, "in excess of" adds a level of formality suitable for professional or technical writing. Common usage includes describing amounts, speeds and values. Ludwig examples show usage in real press, scientific publications, business communication and more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

This is a direct and common synonym, indicating a quantity exceeding a specific value.

greater than

Focuses on the comparative aspect, emphasizing that something surpasses a certain limit.

over

Implies exceeding a numerical value or limit.

above

Suggests a higher position or amount compared to a standard or specified level.

beyond

Emphasizes surpassing a limit or expectation.

exceeding

Highlights the action of surpassing a specified quantity or degree.

surpassing

Similar to 'exceeding', but often used to denote exceeding a standard or expectation.

north of

Informal, often used for monetary values, indicating an amount greater than a specified sum.

upwards of

Suggests an approximate amount that is at least as much as, but possibly more than, the stated value.

past

A simple alternative, indicating that a limit has been passed.

FAQs

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

Use "in excess of" to indicate an amount or quantity that is greater than a specified value. For example, "The project cost "more than" the initial estimate" can be phrased as "The project cost in excess of the initial estimate".

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

Alternatives include "more than", "over", "above", or "beyond". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but "more than" is generally simpler and more direct. "In excess of" adds a formal tone, suitable for legal, business, or technical writing. Choose whichever fits the context and audience best.

What's the difference between "in excess of" and "at least"?

"In excess of" indicates a quantity is greater than a specific value, while "at least" indicates a quantity is equal to or greater than a specific value. For example, "in excess of 100" means more than 100, while "at least 100" means 100 or more.