a little excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is more than what is necessary or reasonable, often in a mild or informal context. Example: "The decorations for the party were a little excessive, making the room feel cluttered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Take the $1.5 million Cruelty Free Value fund with some 55 holdings–a little excessive for a fund this size.

Forbes

At its peak, Fab was spending $14 million a month (he said it's down to $1 million a month now); to an outsider, that sounds a little excessive.

TechCrunch

Perhaps that was a little excessive?

The New York Times

I thought that it was a little excessive at times.

The Guardian

"Maybe that was a little excessive," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

**Q: Isn't all this commotion over Hatchimals a little excessive?

The New Yorker

"I thought it was a little excessive, honestly," Lackey said.

The New York Times - Sports

(A little excessive, this: ECT is given to patients only under heavy anaesthetic).

The Guardian - Film

"Some things are a little excessive, because you have different personalities and different lifestyles.

The New York Times

Yet he's signed on as an Australian marquee, which seems a little excessive.

The Guardian - Sport

While it all seemed a little excessive, everything about the Super Bowl is over the top.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little excessive", consider the context and audience. In formal settings, opt for alternatives like "somewhat unreasonable" or "slightly inordinate" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a little excessive" in highly formal or academic writing. It can sound too casual; replace it with more precise and professional language like "somewhat unreasonable" or "marginally undue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little excessive" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or describing a situation. It expresses a judgment that something exceeds what is considered necessary, appropriate, or reasonable. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable and conveys mild disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little excessive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that expresses mild disapproval or suggests moderation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a suitable expression for various contexts, though it's best to avoid it in highly formal writing in favor of more precise alternatives. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat over the top

Emphasizes the extravagance or theatricality of something, suggesting it's more dramatic than needed.

a bit too much

A simple and direct way to express that something has exceeded a reasonable limit.

slightly inordinate

More formal, suggesting something is beyond normal or reasonable bounds.

mildly extravagant

Focuses on the lavish or wasteful aspect of something that exceeds expectations.

somewhat unreasonable

Highlights the lack of logic or fairness in the excess.

rather immoderate

Suggests a lack of restraint or moderation.

a tad superfluous

Emphasizes that something is unnecessary or redundant.

marginally undue

Formal, indicating that something is beyond what is appropriate or deserved.

kind of extra

Informal, often used to describe something that is unnecessarily elaborate or dramatic.

borderline unwarranted

Suggests something is close to being unjustified or without merit.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "a little excessive"?

Saying something is "a little excessive" means it's more than necessary or reasonable. It suggests a mild overdoing of something, whether it's spending, effort, or any other measurable quantity.

How can I use "a little excessive" in a sentence?

You can use "a little excessive" to describe something that goes beyond what's needed. For example, "The decorations were "somewhat over the top", making the room feel cluttered".

What can I say instead of "a little excessive"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit too much", "slightly inordinate", or "somewhat unreasonable" depending on the context.

Is "a little excessive" the same as "too much"?

While similar, "a little excessive" is milder than "too much". "Too much" implies a stronger sense of disapproval or that something is definitively beyond acceptable limits, whereas "a little excessive" suggests a gentler critique.