exceedingly narrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceedingly narrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very limited in width, scope, or range. Example: "The path through the forest was exceedingly narrow, making it difficult for two people to walk side by side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In other areas they are exceedingly narrow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That exceedingly narrow definition is now being questioned.

The New Yorker

But, she added, that category was "exceedingly narrow".

The New York Times

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet That exceedingly narrow definition is now being questioned.

The New Yorker

These are exceedingly narrow shoulders on which to rest a nuclear-armed state of 180m people.

The Economist

There may be exceedingly narrow situations in which a prior restraint is permissible.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The name comes from the exceedingly regularly pulsed radiation that propagates into space in a narrow beam that sweeps past the observer similarly to the beam from a lighthouse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regarding vesicles in the PV and vesicle fusion in the absence of SNAREs etc.: If these vesicles were present in the PV only transiently and given the very narrow lumen of the PV it would be exceedingly difficult to capture images of such vesicles by electron microscopy unless their fusion were inhibited by some means.

F1000Research

Whilst the encasement may be substantial and result in luminal narrowing, the reported rate of cerebrovascular insufficiency is exceedingly rare with few cases documented [10, 11].

Insights into Imaging

The biologist George Wald once compared his work in an exceedingly specialized field, the visual pigments of the eye, to "a very narrow window through which at a distance one can see only a crack of light" but through which "as one comes closer the view grows wider and wider, until finally through this same narrow window one is looking at the universe".

The New Yorker

By Rachel Carson The biologist George Wald once compared his work in an exceedingly specialized field, the visual pigments of the eye, to "a very narrow window through which at a distance one can see only a crack of light" but through which "as one comes closer the view grows wider and wider, until finally through this same narrow window one is looking at the universe".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like definitions or interpretations, use "exceedingly narrow" to emphasize a restrictive or limited scope. For example, "The legal definition was exceedingly narrow, excluding many potential cases."

Common error

Avoid using "exceedingly narrow" when you mean something is only slightly restricted or limited. "Exceedingly" implies a significant degree of restriction. If the subject is only somewhat narrow, choose a more appropriate term like "somewhat narrow", "slightly constricted", or "relatively limited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceedingly narrow" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to emphasize the extreme limitation in width, scope, or range. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it describing things like paths, definitions, and margins.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceedingly narrow" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something with a very limited scope or width. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias and scientific publications. When using this phrase, be mindful of its formal tone and ensure it accurately reflects a significant, rather than slight, degree of restriction. Alternatives such as "extremely narrow" or "exceptionally narrow" can be used for similar effect, but "exceedingly narrow" carries a slightly more sophisticated connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely narrow

Replaces "exceedingly" with "extremely", a common synonym expressing a high degree of narrowness.

exceptionally narrow

Substitutes "exceedingly" with "exceptionally", indicating a narrowness that is beyond the ordinary.

remarkably narrow

Uses "remarkably" instead of "exceedingly", emphasizing the surprising or noteworthy aspect of the narrowness.

unusually narrow

Replaces "exceedingly" with "unusually", focusing on the deviation from the norm.

incredibly narrow

Employs "incredibly" to highlight the surprising or hard-to-believe degree of narrowness.

particularly narrow

Uses "particularly" to specify the narrowness as a notable characteristic.

prohibitively narrow

Indicates the narrowness presents a significant obstacle or restriction.

excessively narrow

Replaces "exceedingly" with "excessively", suggesting the narrowness is beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

unduly narrow

Emphasizes that the narrowness is inappropriate or unjustified.

overly narrow

Suggests the narrowness is excessive and potentially problematic.

FAQs

How can I use "exceedingly narrow" in a sentence?

You can use "exceedingly narrow" to describe something that is very limited in scope, width, or range. For example: "The margin for error was "exceedingly narrow", requiring precise execution."

What are some alternatives to "exceedingly narrow"?

Some alternatives include "extremely narrow", "exceptionally narrow", "remarkably narrow", or "unusually narrow". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "exceedingly narrow" in formal writing?

Yes, "exceedingly narrow" is suitable for formal writing. The word "exceedingly" adds emphasis and formality, making it appropriate for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "exceedingly narrow" and "very narrow"?

"Exceedingly narrow" implies a greater degree of narrowness than "very narrow". "Exceedingly" adds more emphasis, suggesting that something is not just narrow but remarkably or exceptionally so.