overwhelming people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals are affected by a strong emotional response or are unable to cope with a large amount of information or stimuli. Example: "The presentation was so detailed and fast-paced that it ended up overwhelming people in the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The Yelp page is overwhelming – people love this place.

The Guardian - Travel

Ms. Bakker suggested making changes slowly to avoid overwhelming people.

The New York Times

"There's a sadness that is overwhelming people here but also anger that it keeps on happening.

Independent

Buzz also risks further overwhelming people who are struggling with Web services that generate ever-increasing amounts of information.

The New York Times - Tech

But even where the knowledge provided by science is overwhelming, people often resist it — sometimes outright deny it.

The New Yorker

"The response has been overwhelming, people coming up to us and shaking our hands and saying it's a great thing for the town," said Joe Stevens, a founder and chief executive of Greenleaf, noting that even those who show up regularly to protest in front of the abortion clinic next door "have told us they welcome our business".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The response was overwhelming, as people registered in droves as potential donors.

The New York Times

"The Internet was too overwhelming, and people wanted places that are verified.

The New York Times

"Because the number was overwhelming, some people fell down and died in the stampede".

The New York Times

And we have a huge set of issues to deal with, and it can feel overwhelming to people.

The New York Times

He added, "It's so overwhelming when people suddenly offer you whatever you want — drugs, women, money.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelming people", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the overwhelming feeling, whether it's information, emotions, or sensory input. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Do not use "overwhelming people" without specifying the cause of the overwhelming feeling. For example, instead of saying "The situation was overwhelming people", specify "The sudden influx of data was overwhelming people".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming people" functions as a verb phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as a present participle modifying "people". Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is usable in written English and frequently describes situations where individuals are affected by strong emotions or cannot cope with stimuli.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overwhelming people" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe situations where individuals are struggling to cope with excessive information, stimuli, or emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and the examples show it appearing frequently in News & Media. While synonymous phrases exist, such as "bombarding individuals" or "overloading individuals", clarity is improved when the cause of the "overwhelming" feeling is explicitly stated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overloading individuals

This phrase focuses on exceeding someone's capacity to process or handle something, such as information or tasks.

overpowering individuals

Suggests that people are being subdued or controlled by a force or influence that is too strong to resist.

bombarding individuals

This alternative suggests a forceful and rapid delivery of something, which might be information or stimuli, impacting people intensely.

swamping individuals

Implies that people are being flooded or inundated with something, making it difficult for them to cope.

inundating individuals

Similar to 'swamping', but emphasizes the sheer volume and overwhelming nature of what people are facing.

overtaxing individuals

Emphasizes that people are being subjected to excessive demands or burdens, leading to strain and potential exhaustion.

crushing people

Conveys a sense of being overpowered or defeated by something, highlighting the negative impact on individuals.

staggering individuals

This alternative indicates that people are being greatly surprised or astonished, possibly to the point of being overwhelmed.

confounding people

Focuses on causing confusion or bewilderment, highlighting the cognitive impact on individuals.

dismaying individuals

Highlights the feeling of distress or disappointment that people experience when faced with something overwhelming.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "overwhelming people"?

It means that something is causing individuals to feel intensely stressed, pressured, or unable to cope, often due to excessive amounts of information, stimuli, or emotional intensity.

How can I avoid "overwhelming people" with information?

Break down complex information into smaller, more manageable chunks. Present it gradually, and ensure understanding at each stage. Provide summaries and opportunities for questions.

What are some synonyms for "overwhelming people"?

Alternatives include "bombarding individuals", "swamping individuals", or "overloading individuals", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "overwhelming people" or "overwhelming to people"?

Both phrases can be grammatically correct, but "overwhelming people" is often more direct and concise. "Overwhelming to people" can be used when you want to emphasize that the effect is specifically on people, as opposed to something else.