excessive trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the amount of difficulty or inconvenience caused is more than what is reasonable or necessary. Example: "I appreciate your help, but I don't want to cause you excessive trouble with this request."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be especially careful and sensitive to behaviors involving sleeping and crying (and don't become angry when the child has excessive difficulty sleeping or trouble stopping themselves from crying).

WikiHow

He blames the failure of the Annan plan on excessive haste.The trouble is that time is once again running out.

The Economist

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Increasingly I am realizing how much of our personal finance troubles (excessive student loans and credit card debt, underwater mortgages, stagnant or shrinking retirement accounts) are occurring at the same time so many are feeling spiritually empty.

Huffington Post

I thought he would get into trouble via excessive self-confidence.

The New York Times

"What kind of a love for the prophet is this where people are burning and looting?" said Qamar Zaman Kaira, the information minister, in a television interview, before berating the news media for giving excessive coverage to the trouble.

The New York Times

On the contrary, the "presumptions" and "the familiar" that many who value liberal education try to unsettle are precisely those aspects of modern culture that seem to trouble Mr. Brooks — excessive individualism and an emphasis on personal happiness over dignity, duty and societal obligation.

The New York Times

Fluoxetine, in particular, may cause drowsiness, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, headache, yawning nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, feeling weak.

WikiHow

The war put an end to what Whitman called his "New York stagnation," when he was growing moldy with insurmountable family troubles and excessive drinking.

The New York Times - Books

At his church on the fringes of Moscow, he organised unprecedented, and barely legal, large-scale discussions of moral and spiritual issues – including abortion and family breakdown as well as excessive drinking – that were troubling his parishioners.

The Guardian - Books

"As a public official and a corporate attorney for small businesses, I am extremely troubled by excessive government interference in the operations of private, job-creating businesses like Huy Fong Foods," wrote Villalba in his letter.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessive trouble", consider if a more specific term would better convey the nature of the difficulty. For example, use "excessive financial strain" instead of "excessive trouble" if the trouble is specifically related to finances.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive trouble" as a generic term for any kind of problem. Replace it with more descriptive language. This makes your writing more precise and avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive trouble" functions as a noun phrase where "excessive" modifies the noun "trouble". It describes the degree or extent of the difficulty or inconvenience. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing that it is often used to express a concern about causing someone too much difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive trouble" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a level of difficulty or inconvenience that is perceived as unreasonable or unwarranted. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, with a generally neutral register. While grammatically correct, it is essential to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning and isn't used as a vague placeholder. Consider using more specific alternatives such as "undue difficulty" or "unnecessary hassle" for greater clarity. Using precise language improves your writing and prevents potential misinterpretations. While generally acceptable, prioritizing specific and vivid language will enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue difficulty

Emphasizes that the level of difficulty is unwarranted or inappropriate.

unnecessary hassle

Highlights the pointlessness and annoyance of the trouble.

inordinate inconvenience

Stresses the disproportionate level of inconvenience caused.

extreme difficulty

Focuses on the high degree of challenge.

considerable bother

Highlights the significant level of annoyance.

significant disruption

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance caused.

major predicament

Emphasizes the seriousness and difficulty of the situation.

great adversity

Highlights the hardship and suffering involved.

substantial tribulation

Focuses on the severe suffering or distress.

undue stress

Emphasizes the unnecessary level of tension and pressure.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive trouble" to describe situations where the difficulty or inconvenience caused is more than what is reasonable. For instance, "I don't want to cause you "excessive trouble" with this request."

What can I say instead of "excessive trouble"?

Alternatives to "excessive trouble" include "undue difficulty", "unnecessary hassle", or "inordinate inconvenience", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "excessive trouble" and "significant difficulty"?

While both phrases refer to problems, "excessive trouble" suggests the problem is more bothersome and perhaps unwarranted, whereas "significant difficulty" simply emphasizes the degree of challenge involved.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "excessive trouble"?

"Excessive trouble" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize that the level of difficulty or effort is disproportionate or unreasonable. It's often used to express concern about causing someone too much inconvenience.