surplus of choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surplus of choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are more options available than one can reasonably consider or choose from, often leading to confusion or difficulty in making a decision. Example: "In today's consumer market, we often face a surplus of choice, making it challenging to select the best product for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It can also be a way of coping with a surplus of choice: rather than study 100 models of music player, why not assume the market has already figured out the duds?In this section The triumph of low expectations Not so fabulous Glad to be grey Rateable value GloboCop Declaration of Chindependence Silver linings Bandwagon behaviour ReprintsThe existence of bandwagon behaviour can be hard to prove.

The Economist

What's more, with the Web having reduced the barriers to entry for vendors, consumers are faced with a surplus of choice when it comes to shopping.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is to be expected in a market environment where consumers have a surplus of money, myriad choices and a lack of better things to do than spend countless hours in malls and megastores.

The New York Times

One of the touch points in the book is Barry Schwartz's idea of the paradox of choice: the enormous surplus of capitalism, and the fact that we have all these choices and it puts the burden of decision on the chooser, who then is of course doomed to be disappointed, and then to blame him or herself for their disappointment.

The Guardian - Tech

Section 3 presents the methodology issues, which includes the model specification for estimating consumers' surplus via choice experiment method, the explanation of the choice experiment design, and the assumptions of the basic scenario for the CBA.

Health Economics Review

Until there is a surplus of good hospitals and GPs, such choice is an illusion.

Independent

His work ethic and a surplus of international experience made him the natural choice for the captaincy in September 2011 after Doug Weight retired.

The New York Times - Sports

Her platform of choice?

Los Angeles Times

That yields a surplus of $1.86 trillion.

The Economist

Redundancy (or surplus) of information facilitates judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A SURPRISE surplus of $2.8 million in North Babylon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing consumer behavior or market analysis, use "surplus of choice" to illustrate situations where numerous options create decision fatigue. For example, "The internet has created a "surplus of choice" for consumers, requiring businesses to differentiate themselves effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "surplus of choice" when you simply mean having options. "Surplus of choice" implies an excess that leads to difficulty or dissatisfaction, not just the availability of options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surplus of choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a condition or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surplus of choice" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a situation where having too many options leads to difficulty or dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and while not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, media and science. When writing, remember that this phrase implies a negative consequence of excessive choice, differentiating it from simply having "options". Consider alternatives like "abundance of options" or "glut of options" based on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance of options

Focuses on the plentiful nature of choices available.

excess of options

Highlights that the quantity of options is beyond what is needed or useful.

overabundance of choices

Emphasizes an excessive amount of choices, potentially leading to difficulty in deciding.

glut of options

Suggests a market saturated with choices, making selection challenging.

surfeit of options

Implies having more than enough options, possibly leading to waste or confusion.

plethora of options

Indicates a large or excessive amount of options, often positive but potentially overwhelming.

wealth of choices

Highlights the extensive variety of options, potentially beneficial.

multitude of choices

Emphasizes the many different choices available.

embarrassment of riches

Highlights the positive, almost overwhelming, feeling of having many valuable choices.

wide array of options

Focuses on the diverse range of options available.

FAQs

What does "surplus of choice" mean?

The phrase "surplus of choice" refers to a situation where there are so many options available that it becomes difficult or overwhelming to make a decision. It implies that having too many choices can lead to dissatisfaction or decision fatigue.

How can I use "surplus of choice" in a sentence?

You might say, "The internet has created a "surplus of choice" for consumers, forcing them to sift through countless options before making a purchase".

What can I say instead of "surplus of choice"?

You can use alternatives like "abundance of options", "glut of options", or "overabundance of choices" depending on the context.

Is "surplus of choice" positive or negative?

While having choices is generally seen as positive, a "surplus of choice" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that too many options can lead to stress, difficulty, or dissatisfaction. It's about the point where more options become detrimental.