overwhelming volume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming volume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or amount of something that is difficult to manage or comprehend. Example: "The overwhelming volume of applications we received this year has made the selection process more challenging than ever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But she had not realized that the operation did not have the capacity to handle the overwhelming volume of orders.

The New York Times

Given the overwhelming volume of political advertising, any single ad may leave little beyond a fleeting impression with voters.

The New York Times

Spam, like direct mail, billboard advertising and the repetition of names, slogan and logos, became the real future of advertising: overwhelming volume combined with clever placement.

The New York Times - Books

But here, overwhelming volume and Mr. Romaneiro's resourcefulness were no match for the rude vitality Mr. Corigliano achieved largely by old-school means.

The New York Times - Arts

To some degree, our market has become hostage to computer program trading that floods the floors and electronic systems with overwhelming volume.

Forbes

In the comments, which were reported anonymously, the judges spoke of an overwhelming volume of cases with insufficient time for careful review, a shortage of law clerks and language interpreters, and failing computers and equipment for recording hearings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The rapid growth of information services provided over the World Wide Web has resulted in individuals having to sift through overwhelming volumes of information – the problem of information overload [1].

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

As overwhelming volumes of information begun to be stored in large-scale datasets, automatic learning methods emerged as a good strategy to predict gene function.

BMC Genomics

Interviewing every implementer may not provide greater insights than interviewing a small well selected sample, and may lead to overwhelming volumes of data.

British Medical Journal

The support has been overwhelming in volume and strength.

The New York Times

"The response has been overwhelming in volume and pretty lopsided," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelming volume", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured (e.g., data, applications, information) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming volume" when intending to express simple abundance without negative implications; instead, opt for phrases like "large quantity" or "significant amount" to maintain a neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming volume" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" modifies the noun "volume". It describes the magnitude or quantity of something, often implying that the amount is so large as to be difficult to handle or process. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming volume" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a large quantity or amount of something that is difficult to manage or comprehend. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile across contexts but is often found in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure that you provide clear context. Alternatives include "massive quantity", "huge amount", and "vast number". Be mindful of its implication of difficulty when considering alternatives. It is crucial to maintain awareness of the potential challenges associated with such scale, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming quantity

Simple change of 'volume' to 'quantity'.

unmanageable quantity

Emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with the large amount.

uncontrollable amount

Focuses on the inability to manage or regulate the amount.

massive quantity

Replaces "volume" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount but reducing the sense of being inundated.

excessive quantity

Highlights that the volume is more than needed or desired.

huge amount

Substitutes both words with simpler synonyms, making the phrase less formal.

prodigious amount

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic word for "large", adding emphasis.

vast number

Focuses on countability rather than sheer size or capacity.

immense scale

Shifts the focus to the size and scope of something, rather than the amount.

mountain of

Uses a metaphor to describe the volume.

FAQs

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

You can use "overwhelming volume" to describe a large quantity or amount of something that is difficult to manage or comprehend. For example, "The company struggled to process the "overwhelming volume" of orders during the holiday season."

What can I say instead of "overwhelming volume"?

You can use alternatives like "massive quantity", "huge amount", or "vast number" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "overwhelming volume" in formal writing?

Yes, "overwhelming volume" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing large quantities that pose a challenge or problem. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall message; if a more neutral description is needed, consider alternatives like "large volume".

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

"Overwhelming volume" implies that the quantity is so great that it causes difficulty or is hard to manage, whereas "large volume" simply indicates a substantial amount without necessarily suggesting a negative impact.