excessively elaborate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively elaborate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is overly detailed or complicated, often more than necessary. Example: "The report was excessively elaborate, making it difficult for the audience to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Her attire is more elaborate, but not excessively so.

The New York Times - Arts

We did not elaborate the above descriptions to avoid the manuscript being excessively lengthy.

eLife

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

"I was excessively disciplined.

The New York Times - Magazine

Silly, excessively sober me.

The New York Times - Food

Excessively long subtitles.

The Economist

John Major was excessively diabolical.

The Economist

"He was excessively lustful.

The New York Times - Books

"Like" is "used excessively".

The Guardian - Opinion

Being excessively nervous is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excessively elaborate" when you want to emphasize that something is unnecessarily detailed or complex. It often implies that the excess detail detracts from the main point or makes something difficult to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively elaborate" when a simpler term like "detailed" or "complex" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively elaborate" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "excessively" modifies the adjective "elaborate". This intensifies the meaning of "elaborate", indicating a degree of detail or complexity that surpasses what is necessary or appropriate. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessively elaborate" is a grammatically correct adverb-adjective combination used to describe something as unnecessarily detailed or complex. Ludwig AI confirms this and the phrase typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the excessive elaboration is detrimental. While not a very common phrase, as evidenced by its "rare" frequency, its usage is found across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When you use "excessively elaborate", you're highlighting that simplicity and directness would have been more effective. Semantically close alternatives are: "overly detailed", "unduly complex" and "overcomplicated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too elaborate

A more direct and simple way of saying "excessively elaborate".

overly detailed

Focuses on the high level of detail, suggesting more detail than necessary.

unduly complex

Highlights the unnecessary complexity of something.

excessively intricate

Replaces "elaborate" with "intricate" emphasizing the detailed and complex nature.

overcomplicated

Emphasizes that something has been made more complex than needed.

needlessly intricate

Points out the lack of necessity for the intricate nature of something.

unnecessarily complex

Similar to "unduly complex", but with a slightly different emphasis on the lack of need.

gratuitously detailed

Suggests the detail is unnecessary and perhaps even unwanted.

unwarrantedly detailed

Similar to "gratuitously detailed", but focusing on the lack of justification for the detail.

over-the-top detail

Highlights that the detail is excessive and flamboyant.

FAQs

What does "excessively elaborate" mean?

The phrase "excessively elaborate" describes something that is overly detailed, complex, or ornamented, often to a degree that is unnecessary or even detrimental. It implies that the complexity detracts from the main purpose or understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "excessively elaborate" in writing?

Use "excessively elaborate" when you want to emphasize that something is unnecessarily complex or detailed. It's suitable when the level of detail is a hindrance rather than a help. For more straightforward situations, consider "overly detailed" or "unduly complex".

What are some alternatives to "excessively elaborate"?

Alternatives include "overly detailed", "unduly complex", "overcomplicated", or needlessly intricate depending on the context. Each of these phrases emphasizes a slightly different aspect of unnecessary complexity.

Is there a negative connotation to using "excessively elaborate"?

Yes, "excessively elaborate" often carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the detail or complexity is not only unnecessary but also possibly detrimental, making something harder to understand or use. However, whether it is perceived as negative depends on the context.