more than is needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than is needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something exceeds the required amount or necessity in a given context. Example: "The project was delayed due to more than is needed resources being allocated to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not one word more than is needed.

The Times

Most dishes are abundantly garnished, sometimes more than is needed.

The New York Times - Travel

Sometimes it is more than is needed, and then clients get a refund of the unused portion.

Cornell University

This, say officials, is $10 billion-12 billion more than is needed to back the country's currency.

The Economist

According to Stathakis, taxing the rich and large corporations will help raise €2.6bn, more than is needed.

The Guardian - Business

In the 2004 election Congress and the BJP mustered only 283 seats between them, a record low and only 11 more than is needed for a majority.

The Economist

The brazil nut toffee is really good; I usually make more than is needed and use the leftovers sprinkled on ice cream or folded through whipped cream.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The theme of 'overprescribing' which was described as 'prescribing too many medications/more than is needed' ran through 14% of responses, exemplified by the comment, "A doctor is handing out medication willy nilly".

BMJ Open

"The baking industry has much capacity available, more than is needed by the consumer, which puts the power in the hands of the retailer.

The Guardian - Business

The 5,113 means a reduction of 84 percent, but still far more than is needed to deter any threat.

The New York Times

This makes about three-fourths cup dressing, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more concise word like "unnecessary" or "excessive" can replace the phrase "more than is needed" for improved clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "more than is needed" in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "too much" or "unnecessary" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than is needed" functions as a modifier, typically describing a noun or situation, indicating that there is an excess or surplus beyond what is required or necessary. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than is needed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates an excess beyond what is required. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it serves to highlight surplus, potential waste, or lack of necessity. For simpler or more casual communication, alternatives like "unnecessary" or "excessive" may be more suitable. Be aware to use this expression consciously in order to add emphasis to the idea of something in surplus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than necessary

Replaces the verb "needed" with the adjective "necessary", simplifying the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

more than sufficient

Substitutes "needed" with "sufficient", highlighting the adequacy and excess.

in excess of what's required

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate a surplus beyond the required amount.

surplus to requirements

Employs the noun "surplus" to highlight the excess, making it more concise and formal.

beyond what is essential

Focuses on the non-essential nature of the excess, emphasizing its lack of necessity.

over and above what is called for

Uses a more emphatic and descriptive expression to convey exceeding expectations or requirements.

exceeds the demand

Focuses on the demand aspect, highlighting that the supply or amount is greater than what is demanded.

superfluous

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective that states that something is in excess of what is needed

unnecessary

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective that states that something is not required

gratuitous

Conveys the same meaning of excess or superfluity in one single word

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "more than is needed"?

Alternatives include "unnecessary", "excessive", or "superfluous", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "more than is needed" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that something is in excess of what's required. For example, "The budget allocation was more than is needed for the project's completion."

Is "more than needed" grammatically correct without the "is"?

While "more than needed" is sometimes used, including "is" ("more than is needed") is grammatically more precise and formal. The version including "is" is more common in formal writing.

When is it better to use "unnecessary" instead of "more than is needed"?

Use "unnecessary" when you want a direct and concise way to say something isn't required. "More than is needed" can be used when you want to emphasize the excess in comparison to the actual need. For example, "The extra staff were unnecessary" versus "The number of staff assigned to the task was more than is needed".