could be excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility that something may be more than what is necessary or appropriate. Example: "The amount of sugar in this recipe could be excessive, leading to an overly sweet dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Some of this exuberance could be excessive, induced by relief and little sleep.

The Guardian

But governments with very large financial systems learned that the costs could be excessive.

The New York Times

Hospitals will get an extra £500m to help struggling A&E wards as David Cameron admitted there could be "excessive waits" without a bailout this winter.

The Guardian

As for small investors, even a modest stake could be excessive; alternatives are recommended to be held in thin proportions — thinner still for any individual strategy.

The New York Times

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), which petitioned the USDA to deny approval, says the genetic changes that prevent browning could be harmful to human health and pesticide levels on the apples could be excessive.

The Guardian

Before today's meeting, the Association of British Insurers, whose members control about a fifth of the stockmarket, issued a "red top" health warning about the scheme, while the corporate governance advisers PIRC urged investors to vote against it due to concerns the payout could be "excessive".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I don't understand how there could not be excessive force here".

The New York Times

Considering the questionable survival benefit and high incidence of postoperative complications, surgical resection for a large cerebellar lesion could seem to be excessive as a treatment option.

BMC Cancer

Just as spending soared, a pullback could be equally excessive.

The New York Times

However, Dr Hodkinson said this could be an "excessive" response.

Independent

Well, the decline in medium-term interest rates could be pronounced excessive if anyone expected lower rates to produce a runaway boom — but nobody expects that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be excessive", ensure the context clearly indicates what the excessiveness refers to. For instance, specify whether it's referring to cost, time, or effort to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be excessive" in vague statements. Instead of saying "The plan could be excessive", specify what aspect of the plan is potentially too much, such as "The budget for the plan could be excessive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be excessive" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or potential concern. It suggests that something might exceed acceptable limits or be more than is necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be excessive" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility that something might be more than necessary or appropriate. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable expression. It commonly appears in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what the excessiveness refers to. Alternatives such as ""might be too much"" or ""may be unwarranted"" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be too much

Emphasizes the possibility of exceeding a reasonable limit.

may be unwarranted

Suggests that something might not be justified or necessary.

could prove immoderate

Highlights the potential for something to be without reasonable limits, more formal.

might seem unreasonable

Focuses on the perception of something being beyond what's fair or logical.

may become inflated

Indicates a potential for something to increase beyond normal levels.

could be over the top

Implies something is extravagant or unnecessarily dramatic.

might be uncalled for

Suggests something is inappropriate or unnecessary in a given situation.

may be extravagant

Highlights the characteristic of being unnecessarily lavish or elaborate.

could appear disproportionate

Focuses on the imbalance or lack of proper relationship between things.

might be considered undue

Suggests something could be regarded as inappropriately excessive.

FAQs

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

Use "could be excessive" to express that something might exceed acceptable or necessary limits. For example, "The amount of detail in this report "could be excessive" for a general audience".

What phrases are similar to "could be excessive"?

Alternatives include "might be too much", "may be unwarranted", or "might seem unreasonable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "could be excessive"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a possibility or concern that something may exceed what is necessary, appropriate, or reasonable in a given situation. It is useful in discussions about resources, effort, or detail.

Is "could be excessive" formal or informal?

"Could be excessive" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "might prove immoderate".