Excess describes any amount that goes beyond a limit, often implying it is too much of a good thing.
Mot en 30 secondes
- An amount that is more than what is needed.
- Can be used as a noun or an adjective.
- Often implies that the surplus is unnecessary or harmful.
Overview
The word 'excess' is a versatile English term used to describe a quantity that goes beyond what is needed or expected. While it can simply mean 'extra,' it often carries a connotation of being too much, potentially leading to negative consequences. As a noun, it describes the surplus itself, and as an adjective, it describes something that is additional or unnecessary.
Usage Patterns
As a noun, 'excess' is frequently followed by the preposition 'of,' as in 'an excess of salt.' It is also used in the phrase 'in excess of,' which means 'more than' (e.g., 'costs in excess of $100'). In behavioral contexts, the phrase 'to excess' describes doing something too much, such as 'drinking to excess.' As an adjective, it precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'excess baggage' or 'excess fat.'
Common Contexts
You will encounter 'excess' in various fields. In health and fitness, it refers to 'excess calories' or 'excess weight.' In finance and business, it describes 'excess profits' or 'excess inventory.' In travel, 'excess baggage' refers to luggage that weighs more than the allowed limit. In social commentary, it often refers to 'the excesses of the rich,' implying wasteful or immoral luxury.
Similar Words Comparison
'Excess' is often compared with 'surplus.' While both mean 'more than needed,' 'surplus' is usually neutral or positive, often used in trade or budgeting (a budget surplus). 'Excess' is more likely to be negative or clinical. 'Extra' is a simpler, more neutral synonym used in everyday conversation. 'Glut' is a much stronger term, implying such a massive excess that it causes a problem, like a 'glut of oil' in the market. Finally, 'plethora' is a more formal way to describe a large or excessive amount of something, often used when there are many choices available.
Exemples
You should trim the excess fat off the meat before cooking it.
everydayYou should trim the extra fat off the meat before cooking it.
The company reported profits in excess of ten million dollars.
formalThe company reported profits of more than ten million dollars.
He's been working to excess lately and looks very tired.
informalHe's been working too much lately and looks very tired.
An excess of nitrogen in the soil can actually harm the plants.
academicToo much nitrogen in the soil can actually harm the plants.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
avoid excess
stay within limits
excess capacity
ability to produce more than is being consumed
Souvent confondu avec
Access is the right or ability to enter or use something, while excess is an overabundance of something.
Surplus is often used in business or government to mean 'money or goods left over,' whereas excess is more general and often negative.
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
The word is neutral to formal. In everyday speech, people often use 'extra' or 'too much,' but 'excess' is preferred in technical, medical, or formal writing. When used as a noun to describe a person's lifestyle, it implies a lack of self-control.
Erreurs courantes
A common mistake is using 'excess' as an adverb; one should use 'excessively' instead. Another error is confusing the spelling with 'access' because they sound similar in fast speech.
Tips
Use 'excess' for physical measurements
When talking about weight, height, or volume that goes over a limit, 'excess' is the most natural word to use.
Don't confuse with 'access'
Though they sound similar, 'access' means the ability to enter or use something, while 'excess' means too much of something.
The concept of 'Modern Excess'
In many English-speaking cultures, 'excess' is often used to criticize consumerism and the habit of buying more than one needs.
Origine du mot
From the Old French 'exces,' which comes from the Latin 'excessus,' meaning 'a going out' or 'beyond,' derived from 'excedere' (to exceed).
Contexte culturel
In modern Western society, 'excess' is a frequent topic in discussions about environmental sustainability and the 'minimalist' lifestyle movement, which encourages people to live without excess possessions.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'excess' as 'Extra S'—if you have an 'excess' of letters, you have more than you need.
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNot necessarily, but it usually implies that something is unnecessary. In technical contexts, it just means 'extra,' but in social contexts, it often suggests waste or lack of self-control.
'Excess' is usually a noun or an adjective describing a quantity (excess baggage), while 'excessive' is an adjective describing a quality that is too much (excessive noise).
This is a formal way to say 'more than.' For example, 'The car was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph.'
Yes, 'excesses' is used to describe outrageous or immoderate actions, especially regarding spending or behavior.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
The airline charged me $50 for my ___ baggage.
In this context, 'excess' acts as an adjective modifying 'baggage' to indicate it is over the weight limit.
Choose the sentence where 'excess' is used correctly.
Which sentence uses 'excess' as a noun?
In this sentence, 'an excess' functions as a noun phrase indicating a surplus amount.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
in / of / $500 / was / The / excess / cost / .
'In excess of' is a standard prepositional phrase meaning 'more than'.
🎉 Score : /3
Summary
Excess describes any amount that goes beyond a limit, often implying it is too much of a good thing.
- An amount that is more than what is needed.
- Can be used as a noun or an adjective.
- Often implies that the surplus is unnecessary or harmful.
Use 'excess' for physical measurements
When talking about weight, height, or volume that goes over a limit, 'excess' is the most natural word to use.
Don't confuse with 'access'
Though they sound similar, 'access' means the ability to enter or use something, while 'excess' means too much of something.
The concept of 'Modern Excess'
In many English-speaking cultures, 'excess' is often used to criticize consumerism and the habit of buying more than one needs.
Exemples
4 sur 4You should trim the excess fat off the meat before cooking it.
You should trim the extra fat off the meat before cooking it.
The company reported profits in excess of ten million dollars.
The company reported profits of more than ten million dollars.
He's been working to excess lately and looks very tired.
He's been working too much lately and looks very tired.
An excess of nitrogen in the soil can actually harm the plants.
Too much nitrogen in the soil can actually harm the plants.
