surplus space

USAGE SUMMARY

"surplus space" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to extra, unneeded or unwanted space, such as when discussing room sizes. For example, you could say, "The bedroom is too large, and there is a lot of surplus space that we don't need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The job of policy should be to encourage surplus space on to the market.

The Guardian - Opinion

During the day, the public demand for seats generally forces the hogs to surrender their surplus space.

The New York Times

It has had surplus space available for several years, with space on the market sometimes exceeding 50percentt.

The New York Times

To guard against running out of space, several have leased entire buildings and then have subleased the surplus space.

The New York Times

Banks have owned their branches and operational facilities, and prevailed in litigation permitting them to rent out surplus space and receive property pledged as collateral after a default.

The Economist

Some in the industry argue that buyers never truly craved all that surplus space and took it only because that was the way the marketplace measured the worth of their investment.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Two Denbighshire primary schools will close in a bid to cut surplus spaces.

BBC

As well as cutting surplus spaces, the merger will avoid a backlog of maintenance work at the two schools costing £13.5m.

BBC

Two secondary schools will merge at a new £18.5m site in Caerphilly county as part of a plan to cut surplus spaces.

BBC

The veteran retail analyst Nick Bubb said: "No doubt Mike Ashley has some ideas on how to trade from Debenhams' surplus store space and he has some experience of making big-space retailing work.

The Guardian - Business

The pool of surplus office space offered by corporate tenants is also shrinking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing real estate or storage solutions, consider using "surplus space" to clearly indicate the presence of extra, potentially usable area.

Common error

Avoid using "surplus space" when referring to emotional or abstract concepts. The phrase is best suited for describing physical areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surplus space" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an area or volume that is in excess of what is currently needed or used. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surplus space" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe extra or unused area. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, spanning news, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's best applied to physical contexts. Alternatives include "excess space" or "unused area". Remember to reserve its usage for tangible contexts, and you'll effectively communicate the concept of having extra space available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excess space

Emphasizes the extra quantity of space available.

unused area

Highlights that the space is not currently being utilized.

available space

Focuses on the space being ready for use, even if not currently needed.

spare room

Specifically refers to an extra room in a building.

redundant space

Suggests that the space is no longer required or necessary.

superfluous area

A more formal way to describe space that is beyond what is necessary.

extra capacity

Highlights the potential for additional use or storage.

unoccupied space

Focuses on the absence of any current occupants or activities.

idle space

Implies that the space is not actively contributing or being productive.

unfilled space

Emphasizes the lack of content or items within the space.

FAQs

How can I use "surplus space" in a sentence?

You can use "surplus space" to describe areas that are extra or unused, for example: "The warehouse had a lot of "surplus space" after the company downsized.".

What's a good substitute for "surplus space"?

Alternatives include "excess space", "unused area", or "available space" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "surplus space" or "excessive space"?

"Surplus space" generally implies an amount beyond what is immediately needed, while "excessive space" might suggest an amount that is too much or wasteful. The better choice depends on the intended nuance.

Can "surplus space" apply to resources other than physical areas?

While primarily used for physical areas, "surplus" can apply to other resources. However, using "surplus space" for non-physical resources might be less common and could require additional clarification.