surfeit of knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surfeit of knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive amount of knowledge or information that someone possesses. Example: "His surfeit of knowledge on the subject made him the go-to expert in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The result is a surfeit of knowledge about music of the past that arguably creates a kind of cowardice among those who are following in its footsteps.

The Guardian - Music

On an emotional level, our wish for children who bear prestigious labels may reflect deep fears for their futures -- and a surfeit of knowledge about what can go wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your errands are mounting, and by the time you've finished tallying them, you've moved on, awash in the comforting knowledge that a surfeit of obligations and a limited time frame constitute the full plate of your daily challenges.

The New York Times - Arts

But the driving force behind obesity isn't a paucity of knowledge; it's an abundance of food and a surfeit of cars, computers and convenience.

Forbes

The Island of Knowledge.

Los Angeles Times

But a surfeit of awards may backfire.

The Economist

The surfeit of odors made one giddy.

The New Yorker

But there is a surfeit of villains.

The New York Times

News of its fall induced a surfeit of celebratory gunfire.

The Economist

A surfeit of descriptions, a paucity of action.

The New Yorker

And New York offered a surfeit of candidates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surfeit of knowledge" when you want to convey that someone possesses an amount of knowledge that is excessive or even detrimental, potentially leading to inaction or analysis paralysis.

Common error

Avoid using "surfeit of knowledge" when you simply mean someone is knowledgeable. "Surfeit" implies an overabundance, so ensure the context suggests that the amount of knowledge is problematic in some way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surfeit of knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a state of having an excessive amount of knowledge. Ludwig highlights the use of this phrase in contexts such as discussing music history and its impact on modern musicians.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surfeit of knowledge" is a noun phrase that describes an overabundance of knowledge, often with negative implications. Ludwig's analysis, corroborated by its appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, shows the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in news, media, and potentially academic contexts. While the phrase is not commonly used, as shown by Ludwig, understanding its connotations is important to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like "abundance of knowledge" or "information overload" may better suit certain situations depending on the intended nuance. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English to describe an excessive amount of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance of knowledge

Replaces "surfeit" with "abundance", suggesting a plentiful amount rather than an excessive one.

excess of knowledge

Uses "excess" to directly convey the idea of too much knowledge.

overabundance of information

Focuses on "information" instead of "knowledge", implying a surplus of data.

information overload

Highlights the negative impact of having too much information, suggesting it's overwhelming.

plethora of information

Uses "plethora" to indicate a large and often excessive amount of information.

glut of information

Emphasizes the oversupply of information, creating a sense of being overwhelmed.

too much knowledge

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the same concept.

an overabundance of learning

Replaces "knowledge" with "learning", stressing the process of acquisition.

saturation of information

Suggests that the topic or area is filled to capacity with information.

an embarrassment of riches in knowledge

Highlights the paradoxical situation where a large amount of knowledge can be problematic.

FAQs

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

You can use "surfeit of knowledge" to describe a situation where having too much information leads to negative consequences. For example: "The result is a "surfeit of knowledge" about music of the past that arguably creates a kind of cowardice among those who are following in its footsteps."

What's a good alternative to "surfeit of knowledge"?

Alternatives to "surfeit of knowledge" include "abundance of knowledge", "excess of knowledge", or "information overload", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "surfeit of knowledge" a positive or negative term?

"Surfeit of knowledge" generally has a negative connotation. It suggests that having too much knowledge can be overwhelming or lead to analysis paralysis, hindering decision-making or action.

In what contexts is "surfeit of knowledge" most appropriately used?

"Surfeit of knowledge" is suitable in contexts where discussing the drawbacks of excessive information. It can be used in academic discussions, news articles, or opinion pieces to analyze the impact of information overload on individuals or society.