excessive concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'excessive concern' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation where someone is worrying or showing too much anxiety about something. For example, "His parents had an excessive concern for his safety, so they tracked his movements every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

("This excessive concern with little weasels is a sickness").

The New York Times

He demonstrates the law's bias, the company's undervaluing of employees, and the international union's excessive concern with internal politics.

Cornell University

Excessive concern for the climate might lead us to break the golden thread by constraining the combustion of your products.

The Guardian

"David, your compulsion, your excessive concern for weasels is a sign of something wrong in your personality," the mayor said.

The New York Times

Excessive concern for his company, not fear or shame, the newspaper explained, had caused Fisher to end his own life.

The New York Times

An excessive concern with body image and a fear of becoming fat are hallmarks of these conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The excessive concern that you have with ferrets is something you should examine with a therapist, not with me," the mayor advised.

The New York Times

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani once told an ardent ferret aficionado to get psychological help, saying the man's "excessive concern with little weasels is a sickness".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Posner faults what he calls excessive concerns over civil liberties for tying the hands (or intimidating the agents) of law enforcement agencies.

The New York Times - Books

Paul Stancliffe, a spokesman for the trust, said that decaying trees used to be left in place but landowners were now more likely to remove them, partly because of excessive concerns over health and safety.

The Times

Excessive concerns with maintaining good relations with Egypt's generals and fears that a loosened military grip on Sinai and the Gaza border might throw off nascent Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have wrongly muffled America's public voice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive concern", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the concern is disproportionate or unwarranted. This adds credibility to your argument and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive concern" when a simple "concern" will suffice. Using "excessive" without justification weakens your writing and can make it seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive concern" functions as a noun phrase where "excessive" modifies the noun "concern". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive concern" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes a disproportionate level of worry or attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, with a higher frequency in News & Media and Science sources. When using this phrase, make sure that the context justifies the "excessive" nature of the concern. Related phrases such as "overblown concern" and "undue concern" offer nuanced alternatives, each emphasizing different aspects of the exaggerated worry. It's important to note that while often negative, the phrase can highlight strong dedication. Overall, "excessive concern" is a versatile phrase for expressing disapproval of disproportionate worry, but you should use it mindfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overblown concern

Emphasizes the exaggerated nature of the worry.

undue concern

Highlights that the concern is unwarranted or inappropriate.

inordinate concern

Stresses the disproportionate level of worry.

exaggerated concern

Focuses on the overstatement or amplification of the worry.

unreasonable concern

Indicates the worry lacks a logical or justifiable basis.

overconcern

A more concise way of expressing excessive worry.

excessive preoccupation

Shifts the focus to the dominating nature of the concern in one's thoughts.

extreme anxiety

Highlights the high level of distress and worry.

obsessive concern

Implies a compulsive and intrusive level of worry.

disproportionate worry

Emphasizes that the level of worry is too great compared to the importance of the thing it is referred to.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive concern" to describe situations where someone is worrying too much about something. For example, "The parents displayed "excessive concern" for their child's academic performance, enrolling them in multiple extracurricular activities".

What are some alternatives to using "excessive concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overblown concern", "undue concern", or "inordinate concern" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to have an "excessive concern"?

While "excessive concern" often implies a negative connotation due to the disproportionate level of worry, it can sometimes highlight a strong dedication or commitment depending on the specific situation.

What's the difference between "concern" and "excessive concern"?

"Concern" simply means to be worried or interested about something. "Excessive concern", on the other hand, implies that the worry or interest is disproportionately high or unreasonable.