excessive carefulness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive carefulness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is being overly cautious or meticulous in their actions or decisions. Example: "Her excessive carefulness in planning the event led to delays, as she wanted everything to be perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Slow vote counting was put down to excessive carefulness; even government critics agree there was no funny business.But while Botswana is often held up as a model of African governance, the election result reflects growing dissatisfaction with the ruling party under its leader, President Ian Khama (pictured, left).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

It takes a certain degree of care and carefulness to assemble dozens".

The New York Times

Carefulness of dress?

The New York Times

Prose demands a carefulness he finds troublesome.

The Guardian

"A wise compromise, showing sensitivity and carefulness".

The New York Times

Obama's carefulness extends to parts of her memoir.

The Washington Post

She meant we can teach courage as well as carefulness.

The New York Times

Therefore, carefulness is needed when approaching such solutions.

Energy Procedia

Excessive C.E.O.

The New York Times - Magazine

Excessive tobacco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or situation where being careful is important, but overdoing it can be detrimental, use "excessive carefulness" to highlight the negative impact of being overly cautious.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive carefulness" when simply describing a situation that requires caution. Ensure that the context clearly indicates that the level of carefulness is beyond what is necessary or beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive carefulness" functions as a noun phrase, where "excessive" modifies the noun "carefulness". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state or quality. As Ludwig AI underlines, it describes when someone is overly cautious or meticulous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive carefulness" is used to describe situations where caution goes too far, becoming detrimental. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, emphasizing the importance of context. While not a very common phrase, it's grammatically sound and appears in reputable sources like The Economist and The New York Times. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the negative impact of being overly cautious and consider alternatives like "overly cautiousness" or "undue meticulousness" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly cautiousness

Emphasizes the aspect of being too cautious, potentially hindering progress.

undue meticulousness

Highlights the excessive attention to detail, potentially to a fault.

extreme diligence

Focuses on the intensity of effort and thoroughness, which can sometimes be excessive.

exaggerated prudence

Implies a level of caution that is beyond what is necessary or reasonable.

over-scrupulousness

Indicates an excessive concern with moral correctness, leading to extreme carefulness.

unnecessary fastidiousness

Points to an excessive concern with cleanliness and detail that is not always required.

inordinate attention to detail

Emphasizes the excessive focus on minor aspects, possibly at the expense of the bigger picture.

hyper-vigilance

Suggests an extreme state of watchfulness and alertness, often due to anxiety.

exorbitant wariness

Highlights a level of distrust and suspicion that is beyond what is normal or justifiable.

excessive prudence

Implies a level of caution that is beyond what is necessary or reasonable.

FAQs

How can I use "excessive carefulness" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive carefulness" to describe situations where someone's caution is hindering progress. For example, "Her "excessive carefulness" in planning the event led to delays".

What's the difference between "excessive carefulness" and "extreme diligence"?

"Excessive carefulness" implies a level of caution that is detrimental, while "extreme diligence" focuses on the effort and thoroughness, without necessarily implying a negative outcome. The first is about being too cautious, the second about working very hard.

Are there situations where "overly cautiousness" is a better choice than "excessive carefulness"?

Yes, "overly cautiousness" might be a better fit when emphasizing the fear or hesitancy behind the actions, whereas "excessive carefulness" focuses on the action itself and its consequences.

What are some synonyms for "excessive carefulness" that still convey a negative connotation?

Alternatives include "undue meticulousness", "exaggerated prudence", or "unnecessary fastidiousness", all of which suggest that the level of caution is beyond what is reasonable or helpful.