overwhelmed by choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelmed by choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone feels confused or unable to make a decision due to having too many options available. Example: "When I walked into the ice cream shop, I was overwhelmed by choice, unable to decide between all the different flavors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Now they risk being overwhelmed by choice.

The Economist

Overwhelmed by choice, he simply gave up and walked away.

Independent

Studies show that shoppers overwhelmed by choice may simply walk away.

The Economist

"As in so many respects in life, many people are overwhelmed by choice," he said.

The New York Times

CITY-DWELLERS, often overwhelmed by choice where arts events are concerned, don't always understand the allure of summer music festivals.

The Economist

While I can't wait to try out some of the food experiences I've been reading about all these years, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by choice.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Kerry Mason, from Letterbox Library, said: "This was the first year that the short-listers felt overwhelmed by choices.

The Guardian

She said her mission was to continue TV Guide's transition to being an entertainment magazine and a critical filter for viewers overwhelmed by choices.

The New York Times

I was completely overwhelmed by choices.

Forbes

Potential customers shouldn’t be intimated by prices especially if pooling resources with family or friends but they may be overwhelmed by choices.

Forbes

Now the consumer is overwhelmed by choices and the battle for share of attention is only won by the weird, the intensely relevant, the remarkable.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelmed by choice", ensure the context clearly indicates that the abundance of options is causing a negative effect, such as difficulty in making a decision or feeling stressed.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelmed by choice" when you simply mean there are many options available. The phrase implies a negative emotional or cognitive impact, not just a large selection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelmed by choice" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a person or group of people) to describe their emotional or cognitive state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples illustrating its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overwhelmed by choice" effectively conveys the feeling of being burdened or incapacitated by too many options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase accurately describes the feeling of being stressed and confused by abundance, you can replace it with "burdened by options" or "suffering from choice overload" for similar effect. Remember to ensure that your writing contains appropriate amount of context to convey the negative impact of too many options when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from choice overload

This phrase directly references the psychological phenomenon of choice overload, where too many options lead to difficulty in making a decision.

burdened by options

This phrase conveys a sense of being weighed down by the number of choices available, emphasizing the negative aspect of having too many options.

paralyzed by possibilities

This alternative highlights the feeling of being unable to act due to the sheer number of potential paths or decisions.

hampered by options

Expresses that the available options are a hindrance instead of an opportunity, creating a negative aspect.

stymied by selections

This phrase suggests that the abundance of choices is actively hindering progress or decision-making.

at a loss for choices

Indicates confusion or disorientation in the face of numerous options.

lost in a sea of options

This metaphor illustrates the feeling of being disoriented and unable to navigate the numerous choices.

mired in options

Suggests being stuck or trapped in a difficult situation because of the many choices available.

spoiled for choice

While still indicating a large number of options, this phrase carries a slightly more positive connotation, suggesting abundance rather than burden.

unable to decide due to abundance

This is a more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing the same concept, focusing on the inability to choose.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelmed by choice" in a sentence?

You can say, "I walked into the candy store and was completely "overwhelmed by choice"", or "Consumers are often "overwhelmed by choice" when shopping online."

What does it mean to be "overwhelmed by choice"?

Being "overwhelmed by choice" means feeling stressed or unable to decide due to having too many options available. It suggests a negative impact on decision-making.

Are there any synonyms for "overwhelmed by choice"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "burdened by options", "paralyzed by possibilities", or "suffering from choice overload" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to have more choices or fewer choices to avoid feeling "overwhelmed by choice"?

While it varies from person to person and context, studies suggest that having too many choices can lead to decision paralysis and dissatisfaction. Sometimes, limiting options can be beneficial.