inordinate number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inordinate number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a larger than usual amount or quantity of something, such as "an inordinate number of people attended the event".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was taking an inordinate number of shots and was missing an inordinate number of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Procter & Gamble has registered an inordinate number of domain names for very general words.

Harvard University

"We have no documentation that there has been an inordinate number of accidents," he said.

The New York Times

The house also contains her three sons and an inordinate number of jet skis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

South Dakota has retained an inordinate number of local governmental units.

Britannica

Passengers were lodging an inordinate number of complaints about the long waits at baggage claim.

The New York Times

At the reception area, an inordinate number of details were sought : name, father's name, address, occupation.

The New York Times

The problem is there are an inordinate number of tax fighters here in Troy.

The New York Times

Cone allowed an inordinate number of walks last year, about two-thirds of those to left-handed batters.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, as everywhere in the city, but here of course especially, there are an inordinate number of beautiful women.

The New York Times - Magazine

When we reviewed Bora Bora back in November, we remarked about the inordinate number of television viewing options.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inordinate number of", ensure it's followed by a countable noun. For instance, "inordinate number of complaints" is correct, while "inordinate number of water" is not.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate number of" with uncountable nouns. Instead, opt for "inordinate amount of" when referring to things like time, effort, or money.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinate number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is excessively large. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inordinate number of" is used to describe a quantity or amount that is unusually or excessively large, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and most commonly found in news media, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. When using "inordinate number of", remember to follow it with a countable noun. Alternatives such as "excessive amount of" or "undue quantity of" can be used for variety. Ludwig provides various examples showing its diverse applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive amount of

Focuses on the amount being beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

undue quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is inappropriate or unwarranted.

disproportionate amount of

Emphasizes the lack of proper proportion or balance.

surplus of

Suggests there's more than is needed or expected.

overabundance of

Stresses a very high quantity, almost to an overwhelming degree.

plethora of

Indicates a large and impressive quantity.

glut of

Implies an excessive supply, often leading to lower value.

profusion of

Conveys a rich and abundant quantity.

embarrassment of riches

Suggests having so much of something that it presents a problem.

too much of

A simpler, more direct way to express that the quantity is excessive.

FAQs

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

Use "inordinate number of" to describe a surprisingly or unacceptably large quantity of something. For example, "The company received an "inordinate number of complaints" about the new policy."

What's a good alternative to "inordinate number of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "excessive amount of", "undue quantity of", or "disproportionate amount of".

Is it ever appropriate to use "inordinate amount of" instead of "inordinate number of"?

Yes, use "inordinate amount of" when referring to uncountable nouns such as time, effort, or money. "Inordinate number of" is used with countable nouns.

What does "inordinate" actually mean?

"Inordinate" means exceeding reasonable limits; disproportionately large. Therefore, "inordinate number of" implies a quantity that is excessive or goes beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.