only too many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only too many" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that there are more of something than desired or necessary, often with a sense of regret or frustration. Example: "There are only too many distractions in this office, making it hard to concentrate on work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The cost of housing means that for many people, the private rented sector is the only option, but too many of them are having to put up with poor standards and insecurity".

The Guardian - Money

It's not only that, but too many rubbish Sonic games.

TechCrunch

The jacuzzis, one assumes, are less fruitful sites for random meetings, if only because there are just too many of them.And so to disembark.

The Economist

James G. Goodale Houston, Sept. 10, 2009 • To the Editor: Michael Pollan's essay on the role of the food industry in contributing to obesity and associated chronic diseases may have some merit, but only because too many consumers make poor dietary choices, meal after meal, day after day.

The New York Times

The approach not only generates too many formulas but some are clearly redundant.

SEP

I know it isn't only about too many guns out there, but the hard-to-ignore facts are that no other industrialized nation has as many violent gun incidents as the United States.

Huffington Post

As ever, some miss the point: music video titan Vevo's effort at vevo.com/xmas not only has too many doors (25 not 24), but you can open all of them now.

The Guardian - Music

Not only do too many euro-zone governments owe too much, but Europe's entire banking model, which is based on thorough integration across borders, may need revisiting (see article).

The Economist

Only after too many $80 glasses.

The New York Times

America did not quit Vietnam only because too many of its young men were dying.

The Economist

Schools should be closed only if too many of the staff are absent for teaching to continue; offices should carry on as best they can.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only too many", ensure the context clearly conveys a sense of frustration or regret about the excess.

Common error

Avoid using "only too many" in neutral contexts where a simple "too many" would suffice. The "only" adds a layer of exasperation or acknowledgment of negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only too many" functions as a modifier, intensifying the quantity being described. It suggests that the amount is not just excessive, but also undesirable or problematic. The examples Ludwig provides show that it highlights negative situations.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only too many" expresses a sense of excess coupled with frustration or regret. While grammatically correct, its usage should be carefully considered to ensure the context warrants the added emphasis. As Ludwig AI indicates, "only too many" highlights negative situations where a simple "too many" might not fully capture the intended emotion or consequence. Due to lack of examples, frequency and authoritative sources can't be accurately judged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Far too many

Emphasizes a greater degree of excess compared to "only too many".

Excessively many

Highlights the extreme nature of the quantity.

Way too many

An informal way to express a large, undesirable quantity.

Too numerous

A more formal way of saying "too many".

An excessive amount

Shifts the focus from individual items to the overall quantity.

A surplus of

Indicates an amount that is more than what is needed.

More than necessary

Focuses on the lack of need for the quantity.

Overly abundant

Emphasizes the plentiful and perhaps unwelcome nature.

In excess

A concise way to indicate that something is beyond what's acceptable.

More than is ideal

Highlights that the quantity exceeds the desired level.

FAQs

How can I use "only too many" in a sentence?

"Only too many" is used to express that there are more of something than desired, often with a sense of regret or frustration. For example, "There are "far too many" distractions in this office."

What phrases are similar to "only too many"?

Similar phrases include "excessively many", "way too many", or "too numerous". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the degree of excess.

Is "only too many" the same as "too many"?

While both indicate an excess, "only too many" often implies a stronger sense of annoyance or negative consequence associated with that excess compared to a simple "too many".

In what contexts is "only too many" appropriate?

"Only too many" is appropriate when you want to emphasize not just the quantity, but also your negative feelings or the negative impact of that quantity.