sheer abundance

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer abundance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to having or receiving an extraordinary amount of something. For example, "The sheer abundance of presents at his birthday party was overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most impressive is their sheer abundance.

The Washington Post

All the same, art lovers will be intoxicated by the sheer abundance of masterworks.

The New York Times - Books

Experts say the prevalence in goldens may be partly explained by their sheer abundance.

The Washington Post

But the sheer abundance and variety of voices does provide a pieced-together timeline.

The New York Times - Books

The sheer abundance of fragrances on the market these days also may paralyze consumers, said Ms. Sanchez, the author.

The New York Times

And their achievement was not just technological; the sheer abundance of paper helped create a new raft of educated people.

The New York Times

The protists are not so rich in luminous species but are greatest in sheer abundance, especially in tropical seas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Agricultural biomass is a potential candidate regarding this due to their sheer abundance, low cost, biodegradability, inherently water resistance, fibrous structure, and mechanical properties.

Lignocellulosic Fibre and Biomass-Based Composite Materials Processing, Properties and Applications

It was the sheer abundance, quality and low price of the lobster and other seafood here that drew me to New England.

The Guardian - Travel

That is important because the sheer abundance of wildlife on view can be staggering, especially as one gets farther away from Manaus.

The New York Times - Travel

They remind us of the sheer abundance of stuff available to think about, the range of things in which it is possible to grow interested.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer abundance" to emphasize not just the presence of something, but its overwhelming quantity or plentifulness. For example, "The garden was impressive due to the sheer abundance of flowers."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer abundance" when a simpler term like "abundance" or "plenty" would suffice. Overusing "sheer" can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic. Reserve it for truly remarkable quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer abundance" functions as a noun phrase, where "sheer" serves as an intensifier to the noun "abundance". As Ludwig AI explains, this combination emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer abundance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the overwhelming quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It functions as a noun phrase with "sheer" intensifying "abundance", and its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While there are alternative phrases like "enormous quantity" or "vast amount", "sheer abundance" carries a distinct emphasis on the impressive scale, caution should be exercised so that it's not overused in a simple context when a shorter word such as "abundance" would easily suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer quantity

Synonymous substitution, focusing on the count rather than general abundance.

sheer profusion

It's a synonym for "sheer abundance".

enormous quantity

Replaces "abundance" with "quantity", focusing on the measurable amount.

vast amount

Uses "vast amount" to highlight the immensity of the quantity.

substantial quantity

Indicates a considerable and significant amount.

sheer volume

Substitutes "abundance" with "volume", emphasizing the space occupied.

immense volume

Combines the ideas of great size and quantity.

sheer magnitude

Emphasizes the scale or size of the abundance.

great profusion

Replaces "sheer abundance" with a more formal and literary phrase.

copious supply

Suggests a plentiful and readily available amount.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer abundance" in a sentence?

Use "sheer abundance" to highlight a large, often overwhelming, quantity of something. For example, "The market was overflowing with the "sheer abundance" of fresh produce."

What are some alternatives to "sheer abundance"?

You can use alternatives like "enormous quantity", "vast amount", or "great profusion" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "sheer abundance"?

While "abundance" alone implies a large quantity, "sheer abundance" emphasizes the scale and impressiveness of that quantity. It's not necessarily redundant, but consider whether the added emphasis is needed.

When is it best to use "sheer abundance" over other similar phrases?

Use "sheer abundance" when you want to convey a sense of amazement or overwhelming quantity. It's more impactful than simply saying there is a lot of something.