more than ample

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than ample" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to indicate that something is more than adequately sufficient. For example, "His explanation was more than ample to make me understand the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We have more than ample liquidity," Mr. Williams said.

The New York Times - Arts

It was more than ample as a main course, especially with a starter and dessert.

The New York Times

Black people are angry because there is more than ample reason to be angry.

The New York Times

Yet these problems get more than ample attention, while labor's achievements go largely unmentioned.

The Washington Post

Suddenly, 40 to 60percentt, a range with which Mr. Waddell agrees, looks more than ample.

The New York Times

Five minutes seemed more than ample for the stream of customers on a recent sweltering Saturday.

The New York Times

She added that Balazs and the Pearlmans had more than ample warning that this would happen.

The New York Times

"Way More West," at over 300 pages, provides a more than ample retrospective of Dorn's achievement.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sifting essential from inessential facts is the great problem of modern biographies, which have bulked up on the steroids of more-than-ample documentation and authorial insecurity.

The New York Times - Books

Cho named each room after one of his four daughters; my room, Xin, was a more-than-ample 500 square feet.

The New York Times - Travel

Ms. Baker confesses to being 42 and having a more-than-ample posterior, then tells of her distress when a young man addressed her as "ma'am".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than ample" when you want to emphasize that something not only meets the requirements but also provides a comfortable surplus. It suggests a level of abundance that ensures no scarcity or deficiency.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "more than ample" can sound slightly formal or verbose in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "more than enough" or "plenty of" in casual settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than ample" functions as a degree modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "ample". It's used to emphasize that something is not just sufficient but greatly so. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than ample" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as a degree modifier, emphasizing that something is not just sufficient, but abundantly so. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in a variety of writing contexts, with a tendency towards slightly formal or neutral registers. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as in academic and business writing. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as options like "more than sufficient" or "plenty of" offer similar but subtly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than sufficient

Replaces "ample" with "sufficient", emphasizing adequacy for a specific purpose or need.

more than adequate

Swaps "ample" for "adequate", indicating that something surpasses the minimum requirements.

more than enough

Uses a more common and straightforward expression to indicate that there is a greater quantity than required.

exceedingly adequate

Emphasizes the adequacy with the adverb "exceedingly", highlighting the level of suitability.

more than considerable

Focuses on the substantial amount or degree, highlighting significance.

plenty of

Offers a more informal and common way to express abundance.

an abundance of

Highlights the large quantity or degree, focusing on the concept of abundance.

superabundant

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word conveying a high degree of abundance.

highly satisfactory

Shifts the focus to the satisfactory nature of the quantity or quality, rather than just its abundance.

in generous quantities

Emphasizes the liberality and size of the quantity, often used in contexts like food or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "more than ample" in a sentence?

You can use "more than ample" to describe something that is more than sufficient or adequate. For example, "The company has "more than ample" resources to complete the project successfully".

What are some alternatives to "more than ample"?

Some alternatives to "more than ample" include "more than sufficient", "more than enough", and "plenty of". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "more than ample" formal or informal?

"More than ample" leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for professional writing, academic papers, or official communication. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

How does "more than ample" differ from "adequate"?

"Adequate" means just enough to meet the requirements, while "more than ample" suggests an abundance beyond the necessary amount. Using "more than ample" implies a comfortable surplus, whereas "adequate" suggests barely meeting the minimum.