overwhelming quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

"overwhelming quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large amount of something. For example, "The overwhelming quantity of oranges in the store was impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the trade center was still just an abstraction, an overwhelming quantity of space.

The New York Times - Magazine

The staples (breakneck pace, frantic walk and talks, comfortably smug one-liners) are all there in an almost overwhelming quantity.

The Guardian - Film

I agree with you that we are drowning in information and definitely need reliable ways of making sense out of the overwhelming quantity of that information.

The New York Times

A former official with News International who has knowledge of the investigation said that given the overwhelming quantity of evidence, the police had relied heavily on guidance from News Corporation.

The New York Times

"In this trial there is an overwhelming quantity of documents". Declassified documents from the United States, as well as documentation from remaining South American archives, helped the prosecutor's office put together a complicated puzzle.

BBC

Hard choices confront policymakers in the U.S. and abroad in a seemingly overwhelming quantity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, the overwhelming quantities and heterogeneous nature of this data have caused the divided knowledge to remain inconsistent and fragmented.

Geomorphology

The larger venom amounts are overwhelming quantities designed to test the limits of the assay for arthropod venom cross-reactivity.

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Oftentimes contending with overwhelming quantities of data, the health care industry could lessen its reliance on intuitive decision-making by making better use of machine learning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But it appears that Mr. Draghi remains unwilling — at least for now — to violate the ultimate E.C.B. taboo and effectively print money by buying bonds in overwhelming quantities.

The New York Times

In a society hooked on access to instant and overwhelming quantities of information, it was remarkable how much was unknown about the scope of the disaster wreaked by Katrina; the storm had simply destroyed much of the information network.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelming quantity", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being described as abundant. For example, specify "overwhelming quantity of data" or "overwhelming quantity of information".

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming quantity" without specifying what it refers to. Saying just "the quantity was overwhelming" lacks clarity. Always provide the noun that is in abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming quantity" functions as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" modifies the noun "quantity". It describes a situation where the amount of something is so large that it is difficult to handle or process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming quantity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a large amount of something that may be difficult to manage or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to specify what the quantity refers to. Alternatives include phrases such as "excessive amount" or "vast amount", although the best choice depends on the specific context. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's essential to provide context to ensure clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive amount

Replaces "overwhelming" with "excessive", focusing on the surplus nature.

large volume

Substitutes "quantity" with "volume", suitable for measurable substances or space.

vast amount

Uses "vast" to emphasize the great size of the amount.

immense number

Emphasizes the count rather than the measurable amount, using "immense".

substantial quantity

Replaces "overwhelming" with "substantial", indicating a significant amount.

massive volume

Uses "massive" to indicate a large scale, replacing both "overwhelming" and implying the measure of "quantity".

profusion of

Shifts from a measurable noun to a concept of abundance with "profusion".

surplus of

Implies an excess beyond what is needed.

glut of

Suggests an oversupply that may be problematic.

plethora of

Implies a rich and diverse abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming quantity" to describe a large or excessive amount of something, like in "The library contained an overwhelming quantity of books" or "We were faced with an overwhelming quantity of data".

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming quantity"?

Some alternatives include "excessive amount", "large volume", or "vast amount", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the quantity was overwhelming"?

While understandable, it's better to specify what the overwhelming quantity refers to. Instead of "the quantity was overwhelming", say "the quantity of information was overwhelming" for clarity.

What's the difference between "overwhelming quantity" and "large quantity"?

"Overwhelming quantity" implies that the amount is so large it is difficult to manage or comprehend, while "large quantity" simply indicates a substantial amount without necessarily implying difficulty.