excessive passion

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive passion" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It describes someone's intense or uncontrollable emotions towards something. Example: Maria's excessive passion for cooking often leads her to spend hours in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

✓ Grammatically correct

The phrase describes intense or uncontrollable emotions. It appears in news articles, academic texts, and philosophical discussions.

It's used to describe emotional excess in various contexts like politics, relationships, and artistic interpretation.

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is Corbyn's bold, if occasionally excessive, passion for change that makes him so appealing to young voters like myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

She then links, causally, the physical state of a cooler body temperature with a capacity to execute the soul's operations with sufficient force, but without excessive passion: those who are physically temperate are also psychologically and morally temperate.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Likewise, who can say they are safe from the factors he considers predictive of mental alienation: irregularities in the environment; sudden, oppressive or excessive passions; a melancholic constitution?

The Guardian - Books

The dispute, just as in the Shakespearian plot, puts into evidence the extreme conflicts human relationships bear, oscillating between love and hatred, and becoming destructive when aggravated by intrigue and excessive passions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Again, though, Aquinas adopted a basically Aristotelean position: moderate passions are good and functional, but not so excessive passions.

SEP

But to the Athenians civilization was built on the pillars of self-control and moderation; the state constantly needed to warn its hot-blooded citizens about excessive, irrational passion that threatened the stability of the body politic.

The New Yorker

Passages that spoke ill or questioningly of the gods, passages containing excessive sexual passion (and all works that would today be described as pornographic), and even passages of music that were disturbing to the soul or the senses were all condemned to the same fate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Weak oversight of contractors, and the Pentagon's passion for excessive bells and whistles, have raised costs on almost every major weapons system.

The New York Times

They caution that extreme passion and excessive openness to feedback could translate into too much of a good thing, that entrepreneurs showing "extremely high levels of openness to feedback" – unlike the levels examined in the study – "may be perceived as lacking assertiveness or confidence in their own decisions". They recommend that future studies consider such extremes.

Forbes

There are times, however, when a man's mind is out of control and his passions become excessive [ 11].

BMC Medical Ethics

What some saw as interpretive passion, others viewed as excessive liberty with tempos and rhythm.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive passion", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the passion is directed towards and why it's considered excessive. Providing specific examples helps the reader understand the intensity and potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive passion" when a simpler term like "strong interest" or "great enthusiasm" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound melodramatic or hyperbolic when a milder term would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive passion" functions as a noun phrase, where "excessive" modifies the noun "passion". Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically correct. It describes an overabundance or intensity of emotion, often implying a lack of control or reason.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive passion" describes an intensity of emotion that goes beyond what is considered reasonable or appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and commonly used. As the examples show, the term appears across various contexts, from news reports and academic studies to philosophical discussions. It's important to note the connotations of the phrase. While "passion" alone can be positive, adding "excessive" often implies a negative judgment. When using the term, clarify what the passion is directed towards and the specific reasons it's considered excessive. Considering alternative phrases, such as "extreme zeal" or "unbridled enthusiasm", can provide a more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive enthusiasm

Emphasizes excitement and eagerness, differing from the intensity of "passion".

excessive fervor

Highlights zeal and intensity, focusing more on dedication.

unrestrained passion

Focuses on the lack of control or limits on the emotion.

inordinate passion

Highlights the excessive or disproportionate nature of the feeling.

immoderate passion

Emphasizes a lack of moderation or balance in the emotion.

unreasonable passion

Highlights the irrational aspect of the intense feeling.

extravagant passion

Focuses on the lavish and excessive display of the emotion.

excessive devotion

Specifically implies strong commitment or loyalty taken to an extreme.

excessive emotion

A more general term for an overabundance of feeling, less specific than "passion".

excessive excitement

Focuses on the stimulating and arousing aspect of the emotion.

FAQs

How can "excessive passion" be used in a sentence?

You can use "excessive passion" to describe an intense feeling or emotion that may be overwhelming or inappropriate in a given context. For instance, "His excessive passion for the project led him to neglect other responsibilities."

What are some synonyms for "excessive passion"?

Alternatives include "extreme zeal", "unbridled enthusiasm", or "inordinate fervor". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "passion" and "excessive passion"?

"Passion" refers to a strong emotion or enthusiasm. "Excessive passion" implies that the emotion is so intense that it becomes problematic or irrational. The addition of "excessive" suggests that the emotion is beyond what is reasonable or appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use the term "excessive passion"?

Use "excessive passion" when you want to emphasize that someone's emotions are overwhelming or causing negative consequences. This is often used in discussions about relationships, workaholism, or fanaticism, where intense emotions can be destructive.