excessive use of

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive use of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the use of something in excess of what is necessary or recommended. For example, "Excessive use of plastic can have damaging effects on the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

excessive use of force by the police.

The New York Times

Excessive use of filler words when speaking.

The New Yorker

Beware of excessive use of any essential oil.

The New York Times - Health

"It was quite obviously excessive use of force," said Guthrie.

The Guardian

The complaints ranged from excessive use of force to police.

The New York Times

Excessive use of force included unlawful killings and torture".

The New Yorker

Excessive use of mobile phones has been associated with anxiety, irritation, frustration and impatience.

The Guardian

These include recommendation of highly speculative stock trades and excessive use of margin borrowing.

The New York Times

It criticized Israel for what it called excessive use of force against the Palestinians.

The New York Times

"I cannot think of a more excessive use of a firearm than ….

The Guardian

The excessive use of paper bags is also starting to raise concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential negative consequences, use "excessive use of" to highlight the risks associated with overuse, such as "excessive use of antibiotics" contributing to resistance.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. Instead of saying "excessive use and overuse", choose the more appropriate term based on the context to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive use of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of using something to a degree that is considered more than necessary or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive use of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a noun phrase to describe the act of using something beyond what is necessary or recommended. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary communicative purpose is to express concern or criticism about overuse. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, consider the potential negative implications and be mindful of avoiding redundancy by choosing the most appropriate and concise wording. Be aware of alternatives like "overuse of" and "inappropriate use of" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive usage of

A direct synonym, interchanging "use" with "usage"

exaggerated use of

Highlights the overstatement or amplification in usage.

unnecessary use of

Focuses on the lack of need or justification for the usage.

overblown use of

Focuses on the exaggerated or disproportionate aspect of the usage.

abusive use of

Implies harmful or damaging exploitation.

unconscionable use of

Emphasizes moral unacceptability in addition to excess.

exorbitant use of

Emphasizes the unreasonableness of the level.

inappropriate use of

Highlights the unsuitability or wrongfulness of the usage, rather than just the excess.

obsessive use of

Suggests a compulsive or uncontrollable pattern of behavior.

extravagant use of

Suggests wasteful or luxurious consumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessive use of" to describe situations where something is being used too much, such as "The report highlighted the "excessive use of force" by the police" or "Excessive use of alcohol can lead to health problems".

What are some alternatives to "excessive use of"?

Alternatives include "overuse of", "overblown use of", or "inappropriate use of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "excessive use of"?

While "excessive use of" often carries a negative connotation because it implies overuse and potential harm, the negativity is context-dependent. For example, "excessive use of caution" might be seen as overly cautious, but depending on the situation, it may also be justified.

What's the difference between "excessive use of" and "overuse of"?

"Excessive use of" and "overuse of" are very similar, and often interchangeable. "Excessive use of" can sometimes imply a moral judgment about the quantity of use. Overuse tends to be more neutral.