excessive power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive power" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has more power than is considered reasonable or appropriate. For example, "The government was criticized for its excessive power over the media." Alternative expressions include "undue power," "overreaching power," and "unwarranted power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reforms to the Interior ministry are reducing its excessive power.

The Economist

Cost and excessive power consumption make G.P.S. units impractical, Mr. Hatch said.

The New York Times - Tech

"The United States is using excessive power," he said when I visited his residence in Baghdad.

The New York Times - Magazine

He disputed certain Syrian edicts and attacked successive presidents for wielding excessive power.

The Guardian

Unions never wielded excessive power when compared to the power of employers.

The Guardian

Defenders of these exemptions deny that they raise any questions of excessive power or constitutional violations.

The New York Times

Political leaders and the media began sniping at their excessive power and wealth.

Harvard Business Review

There is no starker illustration of the corrupting influence of excessive power.

The Guardian

Small-town America rails at the excessive power of Wall Street.

The New York Times

Without question, excessive power in the hands of governments can be bad for economic growth.

The New York Times

Japan has entered into agricultural free trade agreements recently with other nations thereby weakening the excessive power of farmers.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political or social issues, use "excessive power" to highlight imbalances in authority or control that may lead to injustice or oppression.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive power" when you simply mean high power. The phrase implies an inappropriate or disproportionate level of authority, not just a strong capability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive power" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "power". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI examples showcase its role in describing imbalances in authority or control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive power" is a commonly used phrase to describe a situation where someone or something has more power than is considered reasonable or appropriate. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and is found frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it reflects a disproportionate level of authority, not simply high power. Alternatives such as "undue influence" or "disproportionate authority" may be more suitable depending on the intended nuance. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for objective and analytical discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue influence

Focuses on the impact of the power rather than its quantity.

disproportionate authority

Highlights the imbalance in the level of authority.

inordinate control

Emphasizes the unreasonableness of the control being exerted.

unwarranted dominance

Stresses that the dominance lacks justification.

overreaching power

Suggests the power is extending beyond its proper limits.

unreasonable force

Emphasizes the unfairness or inappropriateness of the power.

arbitrary authority

Highlights that authority is used without clear or fair rules.

oppressive control

Focuses on the negative impact and restrictiveness of the power.

tyrannical rule

Suggests a severe and unjust exercise of power.

unchecked authority

Emphasizes the lack of oversight or accountability in the exercise of power.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "excessive power" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive power" to describe situations where someone or something has more power than is considered reasonable or appropriate. For example, "The government was criticized for its "excessive power" over the media".

What are some alternatives to using "excessive power"?

You can use alternatives like "undue influence", "disproportionate authority", or "inordinate control" depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate: "excessive power" or "extensive power"?

"Excessive power" implies an inappropriate or disproportionate level of authority, while "extensive power" simply means a great amount of power. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "excessive power" and "abuse of power"?

"Excessive power" refers to having too much power, while "abuse of power" refers to using power in an unethical or illegal way. One describes the quantity, the other describes the action.