surfeit of information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surfeit of information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an excessive amount of information that may be overwhelming or unnecessary. Example: "In today's digital age, we often find ourselves facing a surfeit of information, making it difficult to discern what is truly important."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A surfeit of information hurts his head.

The Guardian - Books

The surfeit of information flowing around the world makes it practically impossible for anyone to keep secrets for long.

The Guardian - Books

We suffer from a surfeit of information on child development and a complete lack of information on mother development.

The New York Times

This lack is amplified by a surfeit of information about peripheral subjects and individuals; this is a book in which, metaphorically speaking, the footnotes have footnotes.

The New York Times - Books

"There's a surfeit of information, increasingly bodiless because of the computer, and I bring to this an interest in how meaning is constructed".

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, the drug industry has yet to find the cornucopia of new drugs once predicted and is bogged down in a surfeit of information about potential targets for their medicines.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Edward the Caresser" suffers from a surfeit of trivial information at the expense of narrative.

The New York Times - Books

A reward offer could also yield a surfeit of useless information that is either immaterial or fabricated by people who simply want to get the money.

The New York Times

Today, as the Djerejian report observed, "Arabs and Muslims have a surfeit of opinion and information about the United States".

The New York Times - Magazine

In some respects, for the masses of grownups seeking mates, either for a night or for life, dating is an attempt to approximate the collegiate condition — that surfeit both of supply and demand, of information and authentication.

The New Yorker

Since then we've suffered a surfeit of opinion and a shortage of information in the public discourse about what is, after all, only a draft, albeit one that has been six months in the making.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase sparingly for emphasis; overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious. It is most impactful when highlighting a negative consequence of having too much information.

Common error

Don't use "surfeit of information" when simply describing a large dataset. The phrase implies that the excess information is creating a problem or hindering understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surfeit of information" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of having an excessive amount of information, often implying a negative consequence. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surfeit of information" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an overabundance of information. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while the phrase is perfectly valid in English writing, it is important to use it to point to the negative consequences of excessive information availability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase communicates a sense of overwhelm and potential hindrance to understanding. Remember to consider the connotations and choose simpler alternatives if a more direct tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

information overload

Focuses on the overwhelming feeling caused by too much information.

abundance of data

Highlights the large quantity of data available.

glut of information

Emphasizes the oversupply and potential waste of information.

excess of knowledge

Focuses on the overabundance of acquired learning.

overwhelming amount of information

Stresses the intimidating quantity of data.

too much information

Simple and direct way to express the concept of excessive information.

plethora of facts

Indicates a large and sometimes unnecessary collection of facts.

data deluge

Metaphorically describes the information excess as a flood.

information saturation

Highlights the state of being completely filled with information.

an embarrassment of riches in information

Draws an analogy to having too many valuable resources related to information, using figurative language.

FAQs

How can I use "surfeit of information" in a sentence?

You can use "surfeit of information" to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming amount of information available, often leading to confusion or difficulty in making decisions. For example: "The project failed due to a "surfeit of information" and a lack of clear direction."

What phrases are similar to "surfeit of information"?

Similar phrases include "information overload", "abundance of data", or "glut of information". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "surfeit of information" or "too much information"?

"Surfeit of information" is more formal and implies a negative impact from the excess. "Too much information" is simpler and more direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "surfeit of information" ever be a positive thing?

While "surfeit" generally has a negative connotation, the phrase could be used ironically or in a context where the abundance leads to unexpected discoveries, although this usage is less common. Usually is best to stick with a more neutral or positive phrasing if you mean to express this context.