exceedingly slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceedingly slow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very slow, often in a negative or critical context. Example: "The internet connection was exceedingly slow, making it difficult to complete the online course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They have an exceedingly slow rate of development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With British firms, staff are poorly educated, semi-literate and exceedingly slow at doing their job.

The Guardian

For most Americans, recovery from the financial crisis and the Great Recession was exceedingly slow.

Britannica

It was unclear why the talks fell apart, although the pace of negotiations had been exceedingly slow.

The New York Times

It's going to take three months to sort out because the wheels of the Riba grind exceedingly slow.

The Guardian - Arts

Thus, the acetyl sites that are exceedingly slow, especially in the mitochondria, may be due to non-enzymatic acetylation.

Nature

Ritonavir is a large, lipophilic molecule that is practically insoluble in aqueous media and exhibits an exceedingly slow intrinsic dissolution rate.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's like being in an exceedingly dull, slow version of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None".

The New Yorker

Though the energy guru likes to talk about revolutions and rapid change, history shows that the energy industry is exceedingly slow-moving.

The Economist

Likewise, pushing molecules around one at a time using an STM is an exceedingly slow-and difficult-way to make anything.

MIT Technology Review

That is fame, to me!" I'm surprised to hear Wilton say that she's not in greater demand because of Downton; there must be a lot of exceedingly slow-witted creatives out there.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceedingly slow" to emphasize the degree of slowness, particularly when conveying frustration or highlighting inefficiency. For instance, "The bureaucratic process was exceedingly slow, delaying the project's completion."

Common error

While "exceedingly slow" is grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversation might sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "really slow" or "super slow" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceedingly slow" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "slow". It indicates a high degree of slowness. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct and usable. The analyzed examples show a variety of contexts where the phrase emphasizes the lack of speed or progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceedingly slow" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something that is remarkably slow. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to act as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the adjective "slow". It is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "extremely slow" or "incredibly slow", it's important to consider the context to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings. Remember, while grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can sound strange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely slow

Uses "extremely" as a synonym for "exceedingly", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

incredibly slow

Replaces "exceedingly" with "incredibly", suggesting a high degree of slowness that is almost unbelievable.

remarkably slow

Substitutes "exceedingly" with "remarkably", implying the slowness is noteworthy or surprising.

exceptionally slow

Uses "exceptionally" instead of "exceedingly", indicating a slowness that deviates from the norm.

very sluggish

Replaces "slow" with "sluggish" to describe something that lacks energy and moves with great difficulty.

painfully slow

Emphasizes the negative impact of the slowness, suggesting it causes discomfort or frustration.

glacial pace

Implies a slowness comparable to the movement of a glacier, which is notoriously gradual.

tortoiselike speed

Compares the speed to that of a tortoise, known for its slow movement.

at a snail's pace

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe something moving very slowly.

leisurely speed

Suggests a slowness that is relaxed and unhurried, often by choice rather than necessity.

FAQs

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

You can use "exceedingly slow" to describe processes, progress, or movement that is remarkably or unusually slow. For example, "The recovery from the economic downturn was exceedingly slow" or "The traffic moved at an exceedingly slow pace".

What are some synonyms for "exceedingly slow"?

Alternatives to "exceedingly slow" include "extremely slow", "incredibly slow", "remarkably slow", and "exceptionally slow". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "exceedingly slow" instead of "very slow"?

"Exceedingly slow" is more emphatic than "very slow", suggesting a higher degree of slowness. Use "exceedingly slow" when you want to strongly emphasize the sluggishness or tediousness of something.

Is "exceedingly slow" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "exceedingly slow" can sound somewhat formal in everyday conversation. In casual contexts, consider using phrases like "really slow", "super slow", or "incredibly slow" for a more natural tone.