cannot be overdone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be overdone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something can be done to an extent without losing its effectiveness or value. Example: "When it comes to showing appreciation, kindness cannot be overdone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are cases which cannot be overdone by language, and this is one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Can romance be overdone?

The New York Times - Food

Drinking could be overdone.

The New York Times - Magazine

The gloom may be overdone.

The Economist

Such concerns may be overdone.

The Economist

Such complaints can be overdone.

The Economist

Raucous fun could be overdone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even exercise could be overdone.

The New York Times - Magazine

This stylistic trait could easily be overdone.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course, generalizations can be overdone.

The Washington Post

Of course, challenges can be overdone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be overdone" to encourage thoroughness or to emphasize the ongoing value of an action. For example, "When it comes to expressing gratitude, kindness "cannot be overdone".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be overdone" when there are clear limits to the action's effectiveness. Overstating the limitlessness can undermine credibility. For example, saying "Advertising "cannot be overdone"" ignores budget constraints and audience saturation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be overdone" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular action or attribute maintains its value or benefit, regardless of the extent to which it is pursued. As Ludwig AI reports, it's appropriate to express that something can be done without losing effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be overdone" is a grammatically correct expression that suggests something retains its value regardless of how much it is done. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is accurate and appropriate in English writing. It functions primarily as a qualifier to encourage specific behaviors or qualities. The phrase is found in various contexts, including news, media, and wiki sources, indicating a neutral to informal register. While its frequency is rare, it's a useful expression to emphasize the sustained benefits of an action. To achieve a similar effect, alternatives such as "is hard to overdo" or "can hardly be excessive" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to overdo

Focuses on the difficulty of doing something excessively, implying a high tolerance or benefit from repetition.

can hardly be excessive

Emphasizes the rarity of something becoming too much, suggesting its consistent value.

is virtually inexhaustible

Highlights the almost unlimited nature of something, implying it's difficult to deplete or overuse.

is difficult to carry too far

Indicates an action that is unlikely to reach a point where it becomes negative or counterproductive.

can't be taken too far

Indicates that the action cannot become negative because of high degree of intrinsic benefit.

knows no limits

Indicates that something has no boundaries, suggesting its effects can always be positive.

has no saturation point

Implies that increasing the quantity or intensity does not diminish the value or effect.

retains its value indefinitely

Focuses on the sustained benefit of an action, emphasizing its enduring usefulness.

remains effective without end

Highlights the never-ending effectiveness of something, suggesting it's always beneficial.

is always beneficial

Simply indicates that something positive never turns negative, irrespective of the amount.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "Kindness cannot be overdone"?

You can rephrase it as "It's hard to overdo kindness", "Kindness is virtually inexhaustible", or "You can't show too much kindness".

What does it mean when something "cannot be overdone"?

It means that doing something to a great extent or repeatedly will not diminish its value or effectiveness; it remains beneficial regardless of the quantity or intensity.

Can "cannot be overdone" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "cannot be overdone" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it is more commonly found in news and media contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

Is there a difference between "cannot be overdone" and "cannot be exaggerated"?

While similar, "cannot be overdone" suggests something maintains its value no matter how much it's done, while "cannot be exaggerated" suggests the truth or importance of something is so great that it's impossible to overstate it.