excess of consciousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excess of consciousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where one is overly aware or preoccupied with thoughts and feelings, potentially leading to anxiety or overwhelm. Example: "In moments of deep reflection, I often find myself experiencing an excess of consciousness that makes it difficult to focus on the present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'd become sick from an excess of consciousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're both hopeless for different reasons: Mark because of his excess of self-consciousness – he tries to woo her with descriptions of the battle of Stalingrad – and Jez because of his lack of self-knowledge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rosamund's inhibition, her virgin-ness, isn't because she doesn't like the sensations of sex: it's rather an excess of self-consciousness and self-doubt, part of the class penalty she pays for the flat in Marylebone and the principled parents and the good education.

The Guardian - Books

Lurching from cruelty to sentimentality and naïve boastfulness over hundreds of pages, Gaitonde threatens to turn into a bore; Chandra's decision to endow him with an excess of epic self-consciousness rather than the bourgeois capacity for self-examination seems risky in a novel of this length.

The New Yorker

Call it stream-of-consciousness shopping.

The New York Times

If the level of consciousness is decreased, drainage of the excess fluid is performed by therapeutic lumbar puncture, extraventricular drain (a temporary device inserted into one of the ventricles) or occasionally a permanent shunt.

Wikipedia

He spoke of a global shortage of consciousness which is driving environmental degradation and contributing to an excess of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Huffington Post

Or firth of consciousness.

The New York Times - Books

What is the nature of consciousness?

The New Yorker

I was in and out of consciousness.

Independent

None of these is true of consciousness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "excess of consciousness" to describe situations where heightened awareness leads to negative consequences like anxiety or insomnia. It's particularly useful when emphasizing the burden of overthinking.

Common error

Avoid using "excess of consciousness" when you simply mean someone is aware. The phrase implies that the awareness is problematic or detrimental, not merely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excess of consciousness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition characterized by an overabundance of awareness or mental activity. As shown in Ludwig, it refers to a state of being sick from an excess of awareness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excess of consciousness" refers to a state of being overwhelmed by one's own awareness, often leading to negative consequences. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI notes, it's a relatively uncommon expression. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts and is generally used to describe detrimental effects of heightened awareness, such as anxiety or insomnia. Alternative phrases like "overthinking" or "heightened awareness" may be more commonly used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surplus of awareness

Directly replaces 'excess' with 'surplus', maintaining a similar literal meaning.

heightened awareness

Focuses on the intensity of awareness, rather than an overabundance.

intense self-awareness

Specifically addresses excessive awareness directed toward oneself.

overthinking

Highlights the cognitive process of thinking too much, often associated with anxiety.

over-analyzation

Similar to overthinking, but with a focus on detailed analysis.

exaggerated introspection

Emphasizes deep and perhaps disproportionate self-examination.

hyper-vigilance

Suggests an excessive state of alertness and sensitivity to surroundings.

heightened mental activity

A broader term referring to any state of increased cognitive function.

obsessive rumination

Implies repetitive and intrusive thoughts, often negative.

cognitive overload

Highlights the experience of being overwhelmed by excessive mental processing.

FAQs

How can "excess of consciousness" impact someone's well-being?

An "excess of consciousness" can lead to overthinking, anxiety, and insomnia, as individuals become overly preoccupied with their thoughts and feelings. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, in some cases, it can even feel like a sickness.

What's a more common way to describe "excess of consciousness"?

While "excess of consciousness" is grammatically correct, phrases like "overthinking", "heightened awareness", or "intense self-awareness" are more frequently used to convey a similar meaning.

Is "excess of consciousness" a positive or negative attribute?

"Excess of consciousness" typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that heightened awareness is causing distress or impairment. It's not simply about being aware, but about being too aware.

When is it appropriate to use "excess of consciousness" in writing?

Use "excess of consciousness" when you want to emphasize the burdensome or detrimental aspects of heightened awareness, particularly in contexts related to mental health, self-reflection, or philosophical inquiry.