excess of love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excess of love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming or abundant amount of love, often implying that it may be too much or beyond what is typical. Example: "In her novel, the author explores the consequences of an excess of love, leading to unexpected complications in the characters' relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He loves people with an excess of love.

The New York Times - Magazine

The trouble is not an excess of love for the nation, but an absence of respect for the Other.

The New Yorker

But what annoyed her most (a rage that caused her to curse from the moment she awoke until the moment she fell asleep) was knowing, without wanting to confess it to herself, that this hate disguised an excess of love.

Vice

Sydney argues that the rape was an "excess of love" and less severe than being deprived of love as attested by the line, "Since wanting is more woe than too much having".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Perhaps Texier is afraid of losing the reader's sympathy for her character; as it is, she goes too far in the other direction, marring a promising love story with an excess of authorial love.

The New York Times - Books

(What is a temper tantrum if not an excess of passion?) If anyone loves a sport for its own sake, then surely it's a 4-year-old.

The New York Times - Magazine

And that's where our conspicuous excess in the language of love comes in.

The Guardian - Books

But unlike Jesus Christ Superstar – which completed the very slim collection of genuine rock operas instigated by Hair in 1968, at a moment when the counterculture almost nosed its way into the mainstream – Phantom harks back to another world of Viennese and French operetta, of romantic excess and forbidden love, of period costume and gothic fable, of bodice-ripping yarn and murder mystery.

Independent

Playing fuzzed-out rock'n'roll on homemade instruments, São Paulo brothers Sérgio and Arnaldo Dias Baptista and their friend Rita Lee brought a surreal playfulness to the incendiary mood of a country living under a dictatorship, before an excess of LSD and free love triggered their collapse.

The Guardian - Music

But the truth is that the fashion world already had fallen half out of love with that excess.

The New York Times

II Wrong not, sweet empress of my heart, The merit of true passion, With thinking that he feels no smart, That sues for no compassion; Since, if my plaints serve not to approve The conquest of thy beauty, It comes not from defect of love, But from excess of duty.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "excess of love", consider the context carefully. It can imply either a positive or negative situation, depending on whether the abundance of love is welcome or overwhelming.

Common error

Avoid assuming that an "excess of love" is always beneficial. In many contexts, it can suggest suffocating or unhealthy attachment. Be sure the context clarifies whether it's a positive or negative trait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excess of love" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition relating to love, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It is frequently used to denote an abundance or oversupply of affection.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excess of love" is a noun phrase used to describe an overabundance of affection, sometimes carrying a negative connotation. Ludwig's analysis shows that while grammatically correct, it is a relatively rare phrase appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. The phrase can be used to describe scenarios ranging from unhealthy attachments to simply demonstrative affection. While the phrase itself is not inherently formal, its usage should be carefully considered based on the intended nuance and context. The suggestion made by Ludwig AI is that one should consider if the phrase is well-received or overwhelming.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Too much love

Directly indicates an excessive amount of love, potentially causing problems.

Excessive affection

Similar to "overwhelming affection", but with a more clinical or detached tone.

Overwhelming affection

Focuses on the intense emotional aspect of having too much love.

Abundance of love

Highlights the plentiful nature of love, suggesting a large quantity.

Overbearing love

Suggests that the love is controlling or stifling.

Unbounded love

Emphasizes the limitless quality of the love, suggesting it has no restrictions.

Immoderate love

Highlights a lack of moderation in the expression of love.

Profusion of love

Emphasizes a lavish display of love, almost to an extravagant degree.

Surfeit of love

Indicates an overabundance of love, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed or even repulsed.

Lavish love

Focuses on the extravagant and generous expression of love.

FAQs

What does "excess of love" mean?

The phrase "excess of love" refers to a situation where there is an overwhelming or abundant amount of love, often implying that it may be too much or beyond what is typical or healthy.

How can I use "excess of love" in a sentence?

You can use "excess of love" to describe situations where someone is giving or receiving an unhealthy amount of affection. For example, "The character's downfall was caused by an "abundance of love" and attention from her family.".

What are some alternatives to "excess of love"?

You can use alternatives like "too much love", "overwhelming affection", or "excessive affection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider also the term "unhealthy obsession".

Is "excess of love" always a bad thing?

Not necessarily. While it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting smothering or unhealthy attachment, it can also be used to describe a situation where someone is simply very affectionate or demonstrative. The context is key.