can be excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or behavior that goes beyond what is considered reasonable or necessary. Example: "While some spending is necessary for comfort, it can be excessive when it leads to financial strain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And the ornamental language and reliance on metaphors can be excessive.

The New York Times

Bureaucracy can be excessive, and the bureaucrats underfunded sometimes at the same time.

The Economist

Their use of violence can be excessive, but more important, it is often instrumental.

The New York Times

"In an environment of low interest rates and quantative easing there can be excessive risk-taking," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Sure, it is agreeable to be "escorted" rather than "shown" to your room, as guests at the Fairmont Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., are, but sometimes the pleasantries can be excessive.

The New York Times

Of course, some say the Clinton fund-raising approach can be excessive in its zeal: During the Clinton administration, the White House hosted top Democratic Party fund-raisers in the Lincoln Bedroom, touching off outrage.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Male gerbils for instance are prone to scent gland tumours, something that can be caused be excessive scent marking.

WikiHow

These can be either excessive hypokinesia (e.g. freezing, rigidity, increasing off times, dysphagia, dysarthria, and respiratory compromise) or excessive hyperkinesia (e.g. choreiform and dystonic dyskinesia).

BMC Palliative Care

In both cases there can be an excessive, even narcissistic, faith in the beauties and possibilities of small nationhood.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Governments that are motivated by exploiting solely this resource can be pretty excessive in their choice of policies.

The Guardian

On the other hand, noncarriers can be spared excessive clinical monitoring.

Genetics in Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "can be excessive", ensure that you provide context to explain what the excessiveness refers to. For instance, instead of stating 'the spending can be excessive', specify 'the spending on marketing can be excessive during the initial product launch'.

Common error

Avoid using "can be excessive" without providing specific examples or context. Saying 'regulation can be excessive' is vague. Instead, specify which regulations or aspects of regulation are considered excessive and why to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be excessive" functions as a qualifier, expressing a potential or possible state of being beyond what is considered reasonable, necessary, or acceptable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes situations or behaviors that exceed a certain limit.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be excessive" is a versatile qualifier used to express that something has the potential to exceed acceptable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While common in news, scientific, and formal business writing, it is essential to provide specific context to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives like "may be inordinate" or "could be unreasonable" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. By following best practices and avoiding overgeneralizations, writers can effectively use "can be excessive" to communicate caution or criticism about the degree or extent of a particular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be inordinate

Replaces 'excessive' with 'inordinate', suggesting a lack of restraint or control.

could be unreasonable

Substitutes 'excessive' with 'unreasonable', focusing on the lack of justification.

might be immoderate

Replaces 'excessive' with 'immoderate', indicating a lack of moderation.

can be too much

Uses a simpler, more direct way to express that something is beyond what is needed or acceptable.

may be unwarranted

Replaces 'excessive' with 'unwarranted', emphasizing the lack of justification or need.

might be disproportionate

Focuses on the lack of balance or proportion.

could be extravagant

Replaces 'excessive' with 'extravagant', highlighting the lavish or wasteful nature.

can be over the top

Uses an informal idiom to express that something is overly dramatic or exaggerated.

may be surplus

Replaces 'excessive' with 'surplus', suggesting an amount beyond what is required.

might be superabundant

Substitutes 'excessive' with 'superabundant', emphasizing an overabundance or superfluity.

FAQs

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

You can use "can be excessive" to describe something that goes beyond what is considered reasonable or necessary. For example, "While some spending is necessary, it "can be excessive" when it leads to financial strain."

What can I say instead of "can be excessive"?

Alternatives to "can be excessive" include phrases like "may be inordinate", "could be unreasonable", or "might be immoderate" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "can be excessive"?

Yes, "can be excessive" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a modal verb ("can") followed by a linking verb ("be") and an adjective ("excessive").

What's the difference between "can be excessive" and "is excessive"?

"Can be excessive" implies a possibility or potential for something to be excessive, whereas "is excessive" states that something is definitively excessive. For example, 'The heat can be excessive in the summer' suggests it's sometimes too hot, while 'The heat is excessive' implies it's currently too hot.