excessive detail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive detail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where too much information is provided, often to the point of being overwhelming or unnecessary. Example: "The report was filled with excessive detail, making it difficult to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

More problematic is the book's excessive detail.

The New York Times - Books

It was 486 pages of excessive detail.

The Guardian

Surgical procedures are described in almost excessive detail.

The Guardian - Books

Briskly told, Rooney's novel is not burdened by excessive detail.

Independent

Nusseibeh recounts his political activity in vivid, witty and excessive detail.

The New York Times - Books

Similarly, Luria writes that for S., almost every word, every thought, was freighted with excessive detail.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Of course, the excessive detailing on that shoe, indeed on much adventure clothing, is a form of decoration.

The Guardian - Arts

Less is more with this look, so avoid furniture pieces with excessive detailing, such as painting and other adornments, which can quickly overtake a space.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, suicide can be newsworthy and the media faces a challenge to balance the imperative to inform – especially when a suicide happens in a public place – and the need to avoid excessive details about method and the possibility of glamorising the act.

Independent

They say the cohesion policy needs to be more user-friendly, avoiding duplication and excessive details.

BBC

Some simplifications are in order to avoid burdening the review with excessive details of thermophysical properties and equations of state; a brief summary appears in the "Appendix" section.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, prioritize essential details and avoid overwhelming your audience with a high volume of information. Ask yourself: Is this detail crucial for understanding the main point?

Common error

Don't mistake a high quantity of details for substantive depth. Effective writing uses carefully selected details to illuminate key concepts, not bury them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive detail" typically functions as a noun phrase. It describes the quality or characteristic of having more detail than is necessary or appropriate. As shown by Ludwig AI, this often leads to negative consequences such as confusion or being overwhelmed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessive detail" is a commonly used noun phrase that indicates the presence of more detail than is necessary or beneficial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While not inherently negative, it often suggests a need for conciseness and clarity. Alternatives like "superfluous detail" or "unnecessary detail" can be used for variety. Remember to prioritize essential information and avoid confusing detail with depth in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superfluous detail

Replaces "excessive" with "superfluous", indicating unnecessary detail.

unnecessary detail

Substitutes "excessive" with "unnecessary", emphasizing the lack of need for the detail.

overly detailed information

Rephrases to highlight the state of being too detailed.

exaggerated detail

Uses "exaggerated" to imply the detail is amplified beyond what's needed.

needless elaboration

Focuses on the act of elaborating being unnecessary.

verbosity

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word denoting excessive wordiness.

nitpicking

Implies a focus on minor, insignificant details.

minute particulars

Highlights the small and possibly irrelevant nature of the details.

tedious specifics

Emphasizes the boring and overly specific nature of the details.

overabundance of data

Rephrases the concept to focus on having too much data.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "excessive detail" in my writing?

Focus on providing only the information necessary for understanding the main point. Prioritize clarity and conciseness. Evaluate each detail to determine if it's truly essential.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "excessive detail"?

You can use alternatives like "superfluous detail", "unnecessary detail", or "overly detailed information", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to include a lot of detail in writing?

Detailed information is useful in some contexts, such as providing evidence in academic writing or creating vivid imagery in fiction. However, ensure that the detail serves a clear purpose and enhances understanding.

Is there a difference between "extensive detail" and "excessive detail"?

"Extensive detail" implies a large amount of detail, which isn't necessarily negative. "Excessive detail", on the other hand, suggests that the amount of detail is more than needed and potentially detrimental to clarity.