all too easy

USAGE SUMMARY

"all too easy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means that something was much easier than expected or desired. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as to express surprise, frustration, or sarcasm. Example: "I thought climbing Mt. Everest would be a challenging feat, but with the help of experienced guides, it was all too easy." In this example, the phrase "all too easy" is used to express surprise at how easily the speaker was able to accomplish their goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The worst-case scenario is all too easy to envision.

The New York Times

Norwich's shortcomings are all too easy to identify.

The Guardian - Sport

Measurements of success are all too easy to manipulate.

The Guardian

In Zambra's world, it seems all too easy to put that book down.

The New Yorker

I find it all too easy to drift off during a massage.

Independent

After all, once goods became untraceable, they were all too easy to fence.

The New Yorker

But if the only requirement demanded is logical coherence, then it seems all too easy.

SEP

All too easy?

The Guardian - Music

It was all too easy.

The Guardian - Sport

So borrowing has been all too easy.

The Economist

Sadly it was all too easy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too easy" to express a negative consequence of something being too simple, such as a missed opportunity or an overlooked detail. It adds a layer of critical observation.

Common error

Avoid using "all too easy" excessively in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound informal or overly critical. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "easily achievable" or "straightforward" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too easy" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to intensify the degree of ease and often express a negative connotation. Ludwig's examples show its use in highlighting unexpected or undesirable simplicity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too easy" is a common adverbial phrase used to express that something is surprisingly simple, often with negative implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, though less so in formal academic or scientific writing. The phrase functions to criticize or warn about the potential dangers of oversimplification. Alternatives include "simpler than expected" and "surprisingly effortless". When using it, consider the context to avoid sounding overly critical in formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simpler than expected

Directly states the ease relative to anticipation.

easily done

Focuses on the achievable nature of the task with minimal effort.

deceptively simple

Emphasizes the misleading appearance of simplicity, implying potential hidden complexities.

surprisingly effortless

Highlights the unexpected lack of difficulty involved.

plain sailing

Describes a situation proceeding without problems or difficulties.

a piece of cake

An idiom expressing extreme ease or simplicity.

child's play

Indicates something is very easy, like a task suitable for a child.

too easy to be true

Suggests the simplicity raises suspicion or doubt about the situation.

overly simplistic

Implies the simplicity is excessive and potentially misleading or inaccurate.

dangerously simple

Highlights a potential risk from an apparent simplicity.

FAQs

How to use "all too easy" in a sentence?

You can use "all too easy" to express that something was surprisingly simple, often with a negative implication. For example: "It was "all too easy" for the hackers to access the system because of the weak password."

What can I say instead of "all too easy"?

You can use alternatives like "simpler than expected", "surprisingly effortless", or "deceptively simple" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "all too easy"?

"All too easy" is appropriate when you want to express that something was surprisingly or undesirably simple, often leading to negative consequences or overlooked complexities. For example, "It is "all too easy" to make mistakes when rushing through a project."

Which is correct, "all too easy" or "too easy"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Too easy" simply means that something is not challenging enough. "All too easy" implies that something's easiness is surprising or has negative consequences. For example, "The exam was "too easy"" versus "It was "all too easy" for the virus to infect the network because the security was outdated".