but too much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but too much" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is excessive or beyond a desirable limit in a given context. Example: "I enjoy chocolate, but too much can make me feel sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Competition drives scientific discovery, but too much competition for scarce resources can block progress, and has done so.

eLife

But too much of it.

The New York Times - Arts

But too much else did.

The New York Times

But too much.

The Guardian - Music

But too much sadness.

The New Yorker

But too much twist also hobbles performance.

The Economist

But too much has happened.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You've got meat, but too much flour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But too much information clouds what's important.

The Guardian

But too much happened too fast.

The Guardian

But too much has already been said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but too much" to clearly signal that an otherwise positive aspect has become detrimental due to its quantity or intensity.

Common error

While "but too much" is useful, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but too much" functions as a contrastive conjunction, indicating that while something might be desirable or acceptable to a certain extent, exceeding that limit results in a negative or undesirable outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but too much" is a grammatically sound and widely used conjunction phrase that indicates an excess. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. It serves to express a qualification or limitation, conveying that something beneficial in moderation can become detrimental in excess. It's predominantly found in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives to maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but excessive

Emphasizes the exceeding of a reasonable limit.

but overly abundant

Highlights the surplus in a more descriptive manner.

but overly so

A simple and direct way to indicate an excess.

but in excess

A more formal way of expressing that something is too much.

but excessively

Focuses on the degree to which something surpasses a desirable level.

but beyond moderation

Highlights the lack of control or balance.

but unduly

A more formal and nuanced way to express excess.

but over the top

Indicates something is exaggerated or extreme.

but unnecessarily

Suggests that something has gone beyond what is needed or useful.

but disproportionately

Highlights an imbalance or lack of proportion.

FAQs

How can I use "but too much" in a sentence?

You can use "but too much" to indicate that something, though good in moderation, becomes problematic in excess. For example, "I like coffee, but too much can make me jittery".

What are some alternatives to "but too much"?

Alternatives include "but excessive", "but overly abundant", or "but in excess", depending on the context and level of formality you desire.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but too much"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The conjunction "but" connects a previous statement with a contrasting element, and "too much" indicates an excess of something. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What's the difference between "but too much" and "but too far"?

"But too much" refers to an excess in quantity or degree, while "but too far" implies that a boundary or limit has been crossed, often in a moral or ethical sense.