excessive emphasis

USAGE SUMMARY

'excessive emphasis' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to point out that someone is focusing too strongly on a particular issue, to the detriment of other important points. For example: "John's excessive emphasis on the budget has taken away from the discussion of important environmental policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Excessive emphasis on athletics produces an excessively uncivilized type, while a purely literary training leaves men indecently soft".

The New York Times

Both place excessive emphasis on appearance and body size.

The New York Times

But Mr Aslan places enormous, and perhaps excessive, emphasis on the explanatory power of context.

The Economist

Excessive emphasis on academics has already been proven detrimental in Asia.

The New York Times

"There is excessive emphasis on reading the entrails of the Federal Reserve," grumbles Fisher, the Dallas Fed chief.

The New York Times - Magazine

The excessive emphasis on personality fails to address the importance of supporting a party platform that transcends individual politicians.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The difference of attitudes towards such treatments can be explained by the gap in the importance of medical information, the conventional family-oriented approach in medical decision-making and healthcare workers' relatively-excessive emphasis on the QOL of the patient.

BMC Medical Ethics

Although a compensation system is useful in enhancing performance, it can have negative effects due to excessive and exclusive emphasis on performance.

Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility

The independent Ofsted report would later criticise her department for excessive box-ticking, and emphasis on numbers and targets.

The Guardian

The new text was carefully drafted in such a way as to avoid excessive condemnation while putting emphasis on what was lacking in atheism.

The New Yorker

On the downside, putting a figure on the number of hits that trigger a breach has run racing into trouble before – although the definition of what constitutes a "hit" and enduring emphasis on excessive force (rather than just frequency) will help.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive emphasis", ensure you're not just stating an opinion, but providing evidence to support why the emphasis is indeed excessive. Offering a balanced perspective strengthens your argument.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "excessive emphasis" in casual conversations can sound overly formal or critical. Opt for simpler alternatives like "too much focus" or "overdoing it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive emphasis" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of giving too much importance or attention to something. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive emphasis" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes giving too much importance to something. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts. Consider alternatives such as "undue emphasis" or "inordinate emphasis" to fine-tune your meaning. Be mindful of sounding overly critical in casual settings. When employing the phrase, support your claims with evidence to demonstrate why the emphasis is considered excessive. Common sources that use this phrase include news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, reflecting its formal tone and informative nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undue emphasis

Similar in meaning, but "undue" suggests something is not just excessive, but also unwarranted or inappropriate.

Inordinate emphasis

"Inordinate" implies exceeding reasonable limits, suggesting a lack of moderation.

Disproportionate emphasis

Highlights the imbalance in focus compared to other relevant aspects.

Overemphasis

A more concise way of saying "excessive emphasis", directly indicating too much focus.

Exaggerated importance

Shifts the focus to the inflated perception of something's importance.

Unwarranted attention

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the level of focus given.

Unjustified prominence

Similar to unwarranted attention but suggests a higher profile or visibility.

Too much weight

An informal way of saying something is given excessive importance.

Overstated significance

Highlights that importance is claimed greater than the thing deserves.

Obsessive focus

Indicates an unhealthy and potentially irrational level of concentration.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive emphasis" to point out when something is being focused on too much, potentially to the detriment of other aspects. For example: "The report placed "excessive emphasis" on short-term gains while ignoring long-term sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "excessive emphasis"?

You can use alternatives like "undue emphasis", "inordinate emphasis", or "disproportionate emphasis" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "excessive emphasis" or "too much emphasis"?

Both phrases are correct, but "excessive emphasis" is more formal and often used in academic or professional writing. "Too much emphasis" is more common in informal contexts.

What is the difference between "excessive emphasis" and "appropriate emphasis"?

"Excessive emphasis" suggests that something is being overemphasized, while "appropriate emphasis" indicates that something is being given the right amount of attention or importance. The key difference lies in the perceived balance and justification of the focus.