excessive freedom

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive freedom" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone has too much freedom or liberty, leading to negative consequences. Example: The new school policy allows students excessive freedom in choosing their classes, resulting in many of them making poor academic choices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The last thing he wants is for Australia's backs, coached by his former colleague Michael Cheika, to be allowed excessive freedom.

The Guardian - Sport

The new Venusberg music for Tannhäuser, in its languid, extreme chromatic richness, epitomised sexual satiety to an even greater degree, with more excessive freedom, than anything found in Tristan.

The Guardian - Music

As the physical danger of We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea shows, being given excessive freedom doesn't mean children don't experience danger – but they do have to learn to negotiate it.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We can't have these excessive freedoms".

The Guardian

This is only a reflection of the excessive freedoms we have granted banks in the past; it does not mean that our problems are now solved.

The Guardian - Opinion

The billionaire philanthropist also called for a huge increase of regulation and oversight over financial markets, whose excessive freedoms had caused "not a normal crisis but the end of an era".

The Guardian - Business

"Parents are now paying the price of the excessive freedoms this coalition has given to schools.

BBC

According to Plato, we only have the excessive freedoms of democracy to blame.

Huffington Post

Within Turkey it has sparked fierce debate about excessive nationalism and freedom of expression.

The Guardian

It was, the council said, "a manifestly excessive attack on freedom of enterprise".

The Economist

The director of development and communications at the Institute of Public Affairs, James Paterson, said last week that the entire section 18C was an "excessive limitation on freedom of speech" and should be repealed to keep the spirit of the election promise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive freedom", ensure the context clearly establishes the negative consequences or potential risks associated with having too much liberty. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive freedom" as a blanket criticism of liberty in general. Instead, focus on specific instances where the level of freedom is disproportionate to the responsibility or potential for harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive freedom" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "freedom". It describes a state or condition where liberty is perceived as being beyond reasonable or beneficial limits, often implying negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive freedom" is a noun phrase used to describe a state where liberty is seen as exceeding reasonable limits, often leading to negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound, the phrase's frequency is uncommon. It appears in neutral registers across news media, encyclopedias and scientific texts, expressing concern over the downsides of unchecked liberty. When using "excessive freedom", it's important to provide concrete examples to justify the claim of excessiveness and avoid overstating the case. Alternatives like "undue liberty" or "unrestrained license" can offer nuanced perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue liberty

Replaces "freedom" with "liberty" implying an inappropriate or unjustified level of freedom.

unrestrained license

Emphasizes the lack of boundaries or controls on freedom, suggesting potential abuse.

overly permissive

Shifts the focus to the act of granting freedom, highlighting the potential for excessive leniency.

lack of regulation

Highlights the absence of rules or controls that normally accompany freedom, implying potential chaos.

unwarranted autonomy

Suggests that the freedom granted is not justified or deserved, implying a negative consequence.

inordinate latitude

Replaces "freedom" with "latitude", referring to an excessive amount of leeway or discretion.

unchecked discretion

Focuses on the power to make decisions without oversight, highlighting the potential for abuse.

radical individualism

Highlights the philosophical aspect of maximizing individual freedom, potentially at the expense of social cohesion.

boundless liberty

Emphasizes the absence of limits on freedom, suggesting potential for chaos or irresponsibility.

unfettered independence

Highlights the lack of constraints on independence, implying a potential disregard for rules or norms.

FAQs

What are the negative consequences of "excessive freedom"?

The negative consequences of "excessive freedom" can include a lack of responsibility, increased risk-taking behavior, social disorder, and the potential for harm to oneself or others. Examples include "unrestrained license" leading to abuse or "unchecked discretion" in positions of power.

How does "excessive freedom" differ from simply having freedom?

"Excessive freedom" implies that the level of freedom is beyond what is reasonable or beneficial, leading to negative outcomes. It suggests an imbalance between liberty and responsibility, whereas simply having freedom is a neutral concept.

What can I say instead of "excessive freedom"?

You can use alternatives like "undue liberty", "unrestrained license", or "lack of regulation" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "excessive freedom" always a bad thing?

While "excessive freedom" often implies negative consequences, the perception of what constitutes "excessive" can be subjective and depend on cultural norms, individual values, and the specific situation. It's crucial to consider the context and potential outcomes when using this phrase.