a touch excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly more than what is necessary or appropriate, often in a critical or humorous context. Example: "While the decorations were beautiful, I felt that the amount of glitter was a touch excessive for the occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Chirac's words may have seemed to be a touch excessive but they reflected what the people wanted to hear.

The Guardian - Sport

He sometimes joked with friends that the Führer's anti-Semitism might be a touch excessive, but he was just the sort of strong, anti-communist leader with whom one could do business.

Huffington Post

His first night at the "Tonight Show" desk, the self-deprecation was a touch excessive, his "I-hope-you-like-me" solicitousness a far cry from the confident cool of Carson or the caustic nihilism of Letterman.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That may show that the people behind it feel a touch of guilt about the excessive time the service has sucked away from us.

TechCrunch

This is from a poem ("The Proper Halo") that he wrote in the 1980s, but it could have been written at almost any period in Redgrove's life - exact, excessive, delighted, with a touch of manic humour.

The Guardian - Books

The Southern California visit of the Duke and Duchess of York has been profiled and pounded by two London newspapers as a brash, vulgar, excessive, weak-humored exhibition by two royals flushed with a touch of lower middle class.

Los Angeles Times

A touch.

The New York Times - Arts

Generally, a touch sensor senses only the touch position.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

— just a touch dull.

The New York Times - Books

And a touch paranoid.

The Economist

Desperate, a touch.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch excessive" to gently critique something that's gone slightly overboard without being overly harsh. It's a polite way to point out a minor excess.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch excessive" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "slightly over the top" or "a bit much" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch excessive" functions as an adjectival phrase used to qualify or modify a noun, indicating that something is slightly more than necessary or appropriate. As noted by Ludwig, it describes something that is somewhat beyond the acceptable limit.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch excessive" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that is slightly more than necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a polite way to point out a minor excess, and is more informal than alternatives such as ""somewhat superfluous"". While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news and media, science and wiki articles, it's best used in situations where a neutral to slightly informal tone is appropriate. Avoid overusing it, and consider synonyms to maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly over the top

Indicates a degree of excess, similar to "a touch excessive", but may imply a more noticeable level of extravagance.

a bit much

A more informal way of saying something is slightly excessive.

somewhat superfluous

Emphasizes the unnecessary or redundant nature of something, similar to "a touch excessive".

marginally inordinate

Suggests a slight deviation from what is considered normal or reasonable.

a tad extreme

Indicates something is slightly beyond what is considered acceptable or moderate.

a little extravagant

Highlights the lavish or luxurious aspect of something that is slightly excessive.

somewhat immoderate

Emphasizes the lack of restraint or moderation, mirroring the meaning of "a touch excessive".

a shade undue

Indicates that something is slightly unwarranted or inappropriate.

barely disproportionate

Suggests a slight imbalance or lack of proportion, similar to being a bit too much.

slightly inflated

Implies that something has been exaggerated or made larger than necessary, echoing the sentiment of excessiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch excessive" to describe something that is slightly more than necessary or appropriate. For example, "While the decorations were beautiful, I felt that the amount of glitter was "a touch excessive" for the occasion."

What's a more formal way to say "a touch excessive"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "somewhat superfluous" or "slightly inordinate", which convey a similar meaning but with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is "a touch excessive" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a touch excessive" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using alternatives like "somewhat superfluous" or "marginally inordinate" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "a touch excessive" and "over the top"?

"A touch excessive" implies a slight degree of excess, whereas "over the top" suggests something is significantly more excessive and dramatic. "A touch excessive" is more understated than "over the top".