excessively cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively cautious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is overly careful or hesitant in their actions or decisions. Example: "Her excessively cautious approach to investing often led her to miss out on lucrative opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Mr. Christie's administration, however, argued that the upper estimates were excessively cautious.

The New York Times

But his allies take issue with the notion that he has been excessively cautious.

The New York Times

Stilwell thought that Chiang, whom he called the Peanut, was excessively cautious as well as corrupt.

The New Yorker

In the light of the CIA findings, which are supported by other US agencies, Obama's approach now looks excessively cautious.

The Guardian

Keynes argued that when fear made consumers and businessmen excessively cautious in their investing and spending, government could temporarily step in.

The New Yorker

As in other countries, the German political elites are afraid of losing traction in society and have become excessively cautious as a result.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The speed of the review could also counter complaints from the pharmaceutical industry that the F.D.A. has grown excessively slow and cautious in reviewing new drugs.

The New York Times

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Allowing more recent material to be released may, however, be encouraging the normally retired civil servants who "weed" the files, taking out material still deemed to be excessively sensitive, to adopt a more cautious approach.

The Guardian

Why? Bowcott speculates that the transition from a 30-year to a 20-year release rule introduced by Gordon Brown may be "encouraging the normally retired civil servants who 'weed' the files, taking out material still deemed to be excessively sensitive, to adopt a more cautious approach".

The Guardian

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessively cautious", consider whether a more specific adjective might better convey the nature of the caution, such as "overly conservative" or "unduly careful".

Common error

Avoid using "excessively cautious" when the context already implies a high degree of caution. Instead, focus on the consequences or reasons behind the caution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively cautious" functions as an intensifier (excessively) modifying an adjective (cautious). According to Ludwig AI, it describes a state of being overly careful or hesitant. The examples show it used to describe people, organizations, and approaches.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessively cautious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone or something that is overly careful or hesitant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, scientific and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, it's vital to consider whether a more specific adjective might be better suited to convey the nature of the caution. Avoiding redundancy and overstatement can enhance the impact of your writing. While the phrase itself is neutral, its usage often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the caution is unwarranted or counterproductive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively prudent

Synonymous, placing emphasis on the wisdom and judgement behind the caution, potentially to an unnecessary extent.

overly prudent

Emphasizes carefulness and wisdom in decision-making to a greater degree than necessary.

unduly careful

Highlights that the level of carefulness is unwarranted or inappropriate.

excessively hesitant

Focuses on the delay or reluctance to act due to the caution.

overly conservative

Focuses on resisting change and sticking to traditional methods more than necessary.

unnecessarily wary

Highlights the lack of necessity for the caution being exercised.

overly circumspect

Highlights extreme unwillingness to take risks.

unjustifiably timid

Suggests that the fear or shyness is not well-founded.

overly guarded

Implies a defensive posture due to the caution, which may be excessive.

unnecessarily reserved

Focuses on the withholding of information or emotions, suggesting it's not needed.

FAQs

How can I use "excessively cautious" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively cautious" to describe someone or something that is overly careful or hesitant. For example, "The company's "excessively cautious" approach to investment prevented it from seizing several opportunities."

What are some alternatives to "excessively cautious"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overly prudent", "unduly careful", or "overly conservative".

Is it better to say "excessively cautious" or "very cautious"?

"Excessively cautious" implies a degree of caution that is beyond what is necessary or reasonable. "Very cautious" simply emphasizes the level of caution without necessarily implying that it is too much. The better choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When might being "excessively cautious" be a negative trait?

Being "excessively cautious" can be negative when it leads to missed opportunities, stagnation, or an inability to adapt to changing circumstances. It can also stifle innovation and risk-taking.