certainly too much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly too much" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express agreement or acknowledgment that something exceeds an acceptable or reasonable amount. Example: "After reviewing the budget, I can say that the expenses are certainly too much for our current financial situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

There's certainly too much focus on a dozen or so cultivars.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No company could duplicate this, but there is certainly too much of an obsession with 'doing' in the corporate world at the expense of planning and understanding.

The Economist

In its leader comment last week, the BMJ argued that there was almost certainly too much medicine and doctors should encourage people to look after themselves.

The Guardian

Closing the gap on Russia and Romania, who finished second and third behind the United States in 1996, is almost certainly too much to ask.

The New York Times - Sports

There's certainly too much sport utility vehicle in this 4,462-pound 4,462-poundor it to be crossoverd a sporty forr-door coupe, as Acura would lite shoppers to see it.

The New York Times

Ernie Els had said that giving Donald a five-stroke start was almost certainly too much and that if he was to have any chance at all, "I'll have to hole the first putt".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Argentina certainly borrowed too much.

The Economist

But it is certainly T.M.L.: too much Linformation.

The New York Times

But here the judges are almost certainly protesting too much.

The Economist

Judges can certainly require too much of regulators, who have traditionally enjoyed a great deal of discretion in deciding whom and how to prosecute.

The New York Times

There certainly is too much of that and I'm the first to rage against it, ironically usually when doctors don't treat disabled people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certainly too much", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being considered excessive. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly too much" in situations where the excess is already self-evident. This can make your writing sound redundant or condescending. Use the phrase when you need to explicitly emphasize an excess that might not be immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly too much" functions as an intensifier and qualifier, emphasizing that something exceeds an acceptable limit. It expresses a strong degree of conviction about the excessiveness. As seen in Ludwig, this expression is commonly used across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly too much" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that something is excessive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, science, and sports contexts. While appropriate for neutral and somewhat informal registers, more formal synonyms may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. When using "certainly too much", be specific about what you are describing as excessive to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeniably excessive

Replaces "certainly" with a stronger term emphasizing the lack of doubt and replaces "too much" with a single word with similar meaning.

definitely excessive

Replaces "certainly" with a synonym that suggests a firm conviction and replaces "too much" with a single word with similar meaning.

absolutely excessive

Emphasizes the excessiveness with a more absolute affirmation.

unquestionably too great

Highlights the lack of doubt while specifying 'great' as the excess.

assuredly too high

Replaces "certainly" with a less common synonym and specifies 'high' as the measure of excess.

indisputably surplus

Uses a formal synonym for "certainly" and replaces "too much" with "surplus", indicating more than needed.

manifestly inordinate

Employs formal vocabulary to convey a clear and obvious excessiveness.

patently superfluous

Highlights the obvious and unnecessary nature of the excess.

unmistakably extreme

Conveys a clear and obvious sense of excess that cannot be mistaken.

categorically unwarranted

Emphasizes the unjustified nature of the excess, adding a layer of disapproval.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "certainly too much"?

Use "certainly too much" to express strong agreement or acknowledgment that something is excessive or exceeds a reasonable limit. It's suitable when you want to emphasize your conviction about the excess.

What are some alternatives to saying "certainly too much"?

You can use alternatives like "undeniably excessive", "definitely excessive", or "absolutely excessive" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

How does "certainly too much" differ from "probably too much"?

"Certainly too much" indicates a higher degree of certainty than "probably too much". While "certainly" conveys conviction, "probably" suggests a likelihood or possibility.

Can "certainly too much" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "certainly too much" can be used in formal writing, but consider more formal alternatives like "manifestly inordinate" or "patently superfluous" for a more sophisticated tone. The appropriateness depends on the specific context and target audience.