but excessively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but excessively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done to an extreme or immoderate degree, often in a negative context. Example: "The project was well-received, but excessively long, making it difficult for the audience to stay engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The sketch on this page indicates that Mr. Handler is not only Lemony, but excessively snickety.

The New York Times

That might be good for corporate profits, but excessively loose monetary policy would also lead to higher inflation.

The Economist

A praiseworthy, but excessively obvious, conscientiousness akin to that of "Les Sylphides" was evident in "Spectre de la Rose".

The New York Times - Arts

But excessively demonising a system can be pretty bad too, especially if it tempts you to sacralise an even worse alternative.

The Economist

Darius Milhaud (1892-1974), the great but excessively prolific French composer, wrote hundreds of works, many of which you don't need to know about.

The New Yorker

In the bedroom he was enthusiastic, but excessively modest, always locking the bathroom door when having a bath, never letting a girl see him naked.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The delivery to Solanki was short but not excessively so but the batsman looked to duck.

The Guardian - Sport

But a highly professional teaching force, which is well but not excessively paid, and with pupil/teacher ratios not excessively small, is a good starting point".

BBC

She seemed reasonably, but not excessively, introspective.

The New York Times - Magazine

SOUND LEVEL Loud, but not excessively.

The New York Times - Food

Privileged, certainly, but not excessively so, I believe.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but excessively", ensure that the first part of the sentence has a positive or neutral connotation. This creates a contrast that highlights the negative impact of the excessiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "but excessively" when there's no prior positive or neutral statement to contrast with. Ensure a clear contrast is present to effectively convey the excessive nature of the action or quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but excessively" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking two contrasting ideas. It introduces a qualification that something, despite having a positive aspect, is taken to an immoderate or undesirable degree. Ludwig examples show that the phrase connects opposing features.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but excessively" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, typically to temper a positive statement with a negative qualification about its degree or intensity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to express reservation or critique. It finds frequent use in News & Media and Science, showing its neutrality in different contexts. Alternatives include "but overly" or "but unduly". When employing "but excessively", ensure a clear contrast to highlight the excessive nature effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but excessively so

Adds emphasis by repeating "so" after "excessively".

but overly

Replaces "excessively" with "overly", indicating a degree that is too much.

but unduly

Substitutes "excessively" with "unduly", suggesting an inappropriate or unwarranted extent.

but immoderately

Uses "immoderately" in place of "excessively", stressing a lack of moderation.

but to an extreme

Replaces "excessively" with a more descriptive phrase indicating the action is taken to a degree that is extreme.

but inordinately

Utilizes "inordinately" instead of "excessively", conveying that something is beyond reasonable limits.

but disproportionately

Replaces "excessively" to highlight a situation where something is out of proportion.

but unjustifiably

Emphasizes that something is excessively done and without reasonable justification.

but needlessly

Substitutes "excessively" suggesting the action was uncalled for or unwarranted.

but gratuitously

Uses "gratuitously" in place of "excessively", implying something is done without good reason or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "but excessively" in a sentence?

Use "but excessively" to introduce a contrasting element that diminishes a previously stated positive or neutral quality. For example: "The design was innovative, but excessively complex, making it difficult to use."

What phrases are similar to "but excessively"?

Similar phrases include "but overly", "but unduly", or "but immoderately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use "but excessively"?

Yes, "but excessively" generally carries a negative connotation because it implies that something is overdone to the point of being detrimental. The exact nuance will depend on context though.

Which is more emphatic: "but excessively" or "but overly"?

"But excessively" and "but overly" are quite similar in emphasis. The better choice depends on the specific rhythm and flow of the sentence.