excessive control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an overabundance of authority or regulation imposed on someone or something. Example: "The company's policy on remote work was criticized for its excessive control over employees' schedules and activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

16 17 25 26 Adults with chronic depression are characterised by over-controlled traits, including greater self-criticism, impaired autonomy, rigid internalised expectations, excessive control of spontaneous emotion and inordinate fears of making mistakes.

BMJ Open

Spotify fosters alignment without excessive control.

Harvard Business Review

At her worst, her excessive control tips into contrivance.

The Guardian - Film

But critics say the licenses give Monsanto excessive control.

The New York Times

Excessive control has been the norm when it comes to community management.

Harvard Business Review

It enables innovation while keeping the benefits of repeatability, and it creates alignment without excessive control.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Polish Exploration and Production Industry Organisation (OPPPW), the industry's main lobby group, is concerned the government will get "excessive controls and rights" in shale gas exploration.

The Economist

Excessive controls, that is.

Forbes

Russian grant and special program funding are encumbered by excessive controls that promote waste while failing to curb corruption.

Triple Helix

The identification of biomarkers predictive of precancer and cancer development after excisional treatment is important to modulate the follow-up in order to guarantee high sensitivity for detecting recurring lesions and to avoid excessive controls of cured women.

BioMed Research International

No wow effects here, no excessive choreographic control.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "excessive control", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the control is considered excessive. Provide specific examples or explain the negative consequences of the control being exerted.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive control" as a general negative term without specifying the adverse effects. Instead, explain how the "excessive control" hinders progress, stifles creativity, or damages relationships to add depth and relevance to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive control" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "control". This indicates a state or situation characterized by an overabundance of control. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive control" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe situations where there is an overabundance of authority or regulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express disapproval or concern, with the most frequent contexts being news, science, and formal business settings. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify the negative impacts to make your writing more impactful. For alternatives, consider phrases like "overbearing authority" or "undue influence" to better suit the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over-regulation

A more concise term for excessive regulation.

overbearing authority

Focuses on the oppressive nature of the control exerted.

undue influence

Highlights the inappropriate or unjustified nature of the control.

disproportionate control

Highlights the imbalance or lack of proportionality in the level of control.

inordinate power

Emphasizes the excessive and disproportionate amount of power involved.

exorbitant regulation

Directly relates to regulations that are unreasonably high or strict.

oppressive dominion

Conveys a sense of being dominated in an unfair and harsh manner.

unwarranted constraint

Highlights the lack of justification for the limiting control.

extreme command

Emphasizes the intensity and extent of control being exerted.

unreasonable governance

Focuses on the irrational or unfair nature of the control being applied through governance.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive control" to describe situations where there is an overabundance of authority or regulation. For example: "The government's "excessive control" over the media stifled freedom of expression."

What are some alternatives to "excessive control"?

Alternatives include "overbearing authority", "undue influence", or "inordinate power", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to have control?

No, control itself isn't inherently negative. It becomes "excessive control" when it surpasses what's reasonable or necessary, leading to adverse consequences.

What's the difference between "extensive control" and "excessive control"?

"Extensive control" simply means control over a wide area or range, while "excessive control" implies that the level of control is inappropriately high or detrimental. One is descriptive, the other is critical.