be too hasty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be too hasty" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when advising someone to avoid making quick decisions or actions without careful consideration. Example: "Before you submit your resignation, don't be too hasty; think it through." Alternative expressions include "act too quickly" and "rush into things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Don't be too hasty.

The New York Times - Travel

That decision appears to be too hasty.

The Guardian

And yet, let's not be too hasty.

The Guardian - Sport

But let's not be too hasty.

The Guardian - Film

"Don't be too hasty to judge this ballclub," Steinbrenner wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

"We do not want to be too hasty".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

That is too hasty.

The Economist

It seems I was too hasty.

The New York Times

Or am I just being too hasty?

The New Yorker

Perhaps she had been too hasty!

The Guardian - Books

Modern studies suggest that Hubble was too hasty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to suggest that a situation is more complex than it first appears. It is most effective when followed by a reason to wait, such as 'don't "be too hasty"; the final results are not yet in'.

Common error

Avoid using "be too hasty" as a simple synonym for being efficient or fast. While speed is often neutral or positive, "hasty" implies a negative lack of care. Use it only when the speed is detrimental to the quality of the outcome.

Linguistic Context

This phrase is a verb phrase that typically serves as a cautionary predicate. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in the imperative or with modal verbs (e.g., 'should not') to issue advice or warnings against premature action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be too hasty" is a versatile and sophisticated way to advocate for patience. Data from Ludwig shows that it is a favorite among elite editors and scholars to emphasize the need for thoroughness. Whether you are writing a piece of investigative journalism or a scientific analysis, using "be too hasty" helps signal to your reader that you value accuracy over speed. It is most frequently used in negative constructions to warn against "<a href="/s/jumping+to+conclusions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">jumping to conclusions", making it an essential tool for any writer who wishes to convey a measured and thoughtful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act too quickly

Shifts the focus from the state of being to the actual execution of an action

act in haste

Uses a prepositional structure that feels slightly more literary or traditional

decide too soon

Targets the decision-making aspect specifically

jump to conclusions

Specifically refers to making mental judgments without sufficient evidence

be too rash

Implies a higher degree of recklessness or danger than simply being hasty

make a snap judgment

Focuses on the instantaneous nature of a decision rather than the overall speed

rush into things

More informal and suggests a lack of general preparation in multiple areas

be premature

Focuses on the timing of an event being too early relative to a schedule

move too fast

Can refer to both physical speed and the pace of a conceptual process

overreact

Suggests the response is not just fast but also excessive in intensity

FAQs

How to use "be too hasty" in a sentence?

You can use it to advise against making a quick judgment, for example: "While the initial data looks promising, we should not "be too hasty" in declaring the project a success".

What can I say instead of "be too hasty"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/act+too+quickly" target="_blank" rel="alternative">act too quickly", "<a href="/s/jump+to+conclusions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">jump to conclusions", or "<a href="/s/be+too+rash" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be too rash" depending on the context.

Is "be too hasty" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a neutral to formal phrase. Ludwig examples show it appearing in academic journals like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and major news outlets like The New York Times and The Economist.

What is the difference between "be too hasty" and "<a href="/s/be+too+fast" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be too fast"?

While "<a href="/s/be+too+fast" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be too fast" often refers to physical speed or a literal rate of completion, "be too hasty" specifically implies that the speed has led to a lack of proper thought or caution.