excessive for

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive for" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is too much or more than necessary for a particular situation. Example: The price of the new iPhone is excessive for most people, especially when there are more affordable options available.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even so, before I take Blanche from Porthmadog, two days on a very small railway seems a little excessive for a non-train nerd.

The Guardian - Travel

However, excess light causes a saturation effect, in which ATP and Fd(red) were excessive for the available nitrogenase [ 2].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

My drinking had been dangerously excessive for some years.

The Guardian

However, the load would not have been excessive for a well-designed bridge, according to experts.

The New York Times

— thirty episodes of separation seemed excessive for people who often worked together.

The New Yorker

But what of the violence, which is indisputably excessive for a music video?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Judge Armstrong told Davidson: "The injuries you caused were excessive for self-defence".

The Guardian

Such revenues seem excessive for a small firm like Bayou, hedge fund experts said.

The New York Times

"Let's take Marcus Camby's recent five-game suspension, which I thought was excessive for what happened.

The New York Times - Sports

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism considers more than 14 drinks a week excessive for men and more than seven drinks a week excessive for women.

The New York Times - Health

"It was creating a space I considered excessive for that footprint in the woods".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "excessive for" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from synonyms like "disproportionate to" or "unwarranted for".

Common error

Avoid using "excessive for" without specifying the reference point. Saying "That's excessive" lacks clarity; instead, specify what it's excessive for: "That's excessive for a simple repair."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive for" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by a prepositional phrase clarifying the reference point for the excess. This is confirmed by Ludwig, as it demonstrates its use in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that communicates that something is beyond what is required or suitable for a specific purpose or context. As affirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows for use in diverse registers, although it is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific sources. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide clear context to avoid ambiguity and consider synonyms like "unnecessary for" or "disproportionate to" to refine your message. It's crucial to specify the point of reference to which something is excessive, thereby enhancing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary for

Emphasizes the lack of need or justification.

superfluous for

Highlights the redundant or surplus nature.

too much for

A more direct and general way of expressing excess.

unwarranted for

Suggests the action or thing is not justified or deserved.

inappropriate for

Focuses on the lack of suitability for a specific context.

disproportionate to

Indicates an imbalance or lack of proper relation.

over the top for

An informal way to describe something that is extravagant or extreme.

exorbitant for

Emphasizes an unreasonably high amount, often referring to price or cost.

overkill for

Suggests more force or effort is used than necessary.

beyond what's needed for

Expresses that something exceeds requirements.

FAQs

How do I use "excessive for" in a sentence?

Use "excessive for" to indicate that something is more than necessary or appropriate in relation to something else. For example, "The amount of detail was "excessive for" the scope of the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "excessive for"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "unnecessary for", "superfluous for", or "disproportionate to".

Is it always negative to describe something as "excessive for"?

Generally, describing something as "excessive for" carries a negative connotation, implying that it's wasteful or inappropriate. However, context matters; sometimes, it might simply mean "more than required" without necessarily being negative.

What's the difference between "excessive for" and "too much for"?

While both indicate an overabundance, "excessive for" often implies a mismatch between the amount and the requirement, whereas "too much for" is a more general expression of exceeding a limit. For example, "The workload was "too much for" one person" suggests an overwhelming amount, while "The detail was "excessive for" such a short report" suggests an inappropriate level of detail.