excessive amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive amount of time" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It implies a longer period than what is necessary or expected. Example: The students were given an excessive amount of time to complete the exam, causing them to become anxious and fatigued.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Do you spend an excessive amount of time in front of the mirror each day and/or groom excessively?

WikiHow

A decade would seem to be an excessive amount of time to wait for public toilets in New York City.

The New York Times

No doubt he took an excessive amount of time to make an elaborate sandwich afterwards and popped on Homes Under the Hammer for a bit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Morr, the son of an Israeli diplomat, grew up in Uganda, Rome and London and spent an excessive amount of time in hotels.

The New York Times - Style

Meanwhile, interested civilians are being required to spend an excessive amount of time worrying about cloture votes and yearning for the good old days when the only senators you had to know anything about were your own.

The New York Times

In its report, the WGAD said Mr Assange had been the subject of "different forms of deprivation of liberty" in Britain since 2010 and a "lack of diligence" on the part of Swedish prosecutors, who have yet to question him, meant an excessive amount of time had been allowed to pass.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The action scenes kept you hooked enough to want to read on and human emotions were explored in depth through the book (although Indie cried an unnecessarily excessive amount of times).

The Guardian

And stop holding people in the airplane for excessive amounts of time.

The New York Times

One of the chief complaints against Mr. Davis is that he has devoted excessive amounts of time and energy to fund-raising.

The New York Times

It is a form of reverse return on investment (ROI) where your ability to force the attacker to spend excessive amounts of time, energy and money undermines the profitability of the attack itself.

The Guardian

The predilections of these two writers for photographing and spending excessive amounts of time with other people's children may appear suspect to modern sensibilities, but Carroll and Barrie knew what children wanted in their stories precisely because they were so deeply invested in finding ways to win their attention and affection in real life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize the burden or inefficiency caused by prolonged duration, use "excessive amount of time" to clearly communicate the negative impact.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "An excessive amount of time was spent..." Instead, use active voice: "They spent an excessive amount of time..." for clearer and more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive amount of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and common English phrase, describing durations that are longer than necessary or expected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive amount of time" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a duration that is longer than necessary or desirable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, to express concern about inefficiency or wastefulness. Alternatives like "undue amount of time" or "inordinate amount of time" can be used to convey similar meanings, but the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express. When using the phrase, remember to avoid passive voice constructions and consider the context to ensure the most appropriate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue amount of time

Focuses on the inappropriateness or unsuitability of the time spent.

unnecessary amount of time

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the duration.

inordinate amount of time

Highlights the excessiveness and lack of moderation.

unreasonable amount of time

Stresses the lack of reason or justification for the duration.

disproportionate amount of time

Highlights the imbalance or lack of proportion in the allocation of time.

exorbitant amount of time

Implies an unreasonably high or excessive duration.

prohibitive amount of time

Suggests that the time required is so great as to discourage or prevent action.

extravagant amount of time

Conveys a sense of wasteful or luxurious use of time.

unconscionable amount of time

Highlights the moral reprehensibility of the time spent

exaggerated amount of time

Emphasizes that the reported time is an overstatement.

FAQs

How can I use "excessive amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive amount of time" to describe situations where more time is spent than necessary or desirable. For example, "The project took an "excessive amount of time" due to unforeseen complications."

What are some alternatives to "excessive amount of time"?

Alternatives include "undue amount of time", "inordinate amount of time", or "unreasonable amount of time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "excessive amount of time" or "excessive amounts of time"?

The singular "excessive amount of time" is generally used when referring to a single, continuous duration. "Excessive amounts of time" is used when referring to multiple instances of prolonged durations.

What's the difference between "excessive amount of time" and "long time"?

"Long time" simply indicates a duration that is not short. "Excessive amount of time" implies that the duration is inappropriately or undesirably long, beyond what is reasonable or necessary.