excessively grave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively grave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, tone, or demeanor that is overly serious or somber. Example: "The atmosphere at the meeting was excessively grave, making it difficult for anyone to express their opinions freely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

How grave is too grave?

The New York Times - Magazine

So not excessively excessive.

BBC

Not only was marriage "the grave of spontaneity"; it also eroded "humanitary devotion," by focusing couples excessively on each other.

The New York Times

Drink excessively?

The Guardian

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

Sleeping excessively.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The grave.

The New Yorker

"He was excessively lustful.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps excessively so.

The Guardian - Business

Being excessively nervous is.

The Guardian

Probably excessively so.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessively grave", consider the context to ensure the intensity of the description aligns with the situation. Overusing such strong language can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively grave" when a simple "serious" or "grave" would suffice. The "excessively" component should only be applied when the situation is genuinely overbearingly somber.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively grave" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to modify a noun or situation. The adverb "excessively" intensifies the adjective "grave", indicating a degree of seriousness that is beyond the norm. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessively grave" is a grammatically correct adverb-adjective combination used to describe something as overly serious or somber. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. While not extremely common, its usage tends to be in neutral to formal contexts, such as news and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider whether the intensity of the description is truly warranted, as simpler terms might sometimes be more appropriate. Related phrases include "unduly serious" and "overly solemn", offering alternative ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unduly serious

Replaces "excessively" with "unduly", implying an unwarranted level of seriousness.

overly solemn

Substitutes "grave" with "solemn", suggesting a more formal and ceremonial seriousness.

inordinately somber

Replaces "excessively" with "inordinately" and "grave" with "somber", emphasizing an excessive darkness or seriousness.

unusually severe

Shifts the focus to severity rather than just seriousness, implying harshness.

exceedingly dour

Uses "exceedingly" as a synonym for "excessively" and "dour" to describe a gloomy seriousness.

uncommonly austere

Replaces "grave" with "austere", suggesting a stark and unadorned seriousness.

remarkably grim

Substitutes "grave" with "grim", emphasizing a bleak and depressing seriousness.

noticeably weighty

Replaces "grave" with "weighty", focusing on the burdensome or significant nature of the situation.

pointlessly earnest

Adds a sense of futility to the seriousness, suggesting it is unnecessary or unproductive.

gratuitously solemn

Emphasizes that the solemnity is uncalled for or excessive in the given context.

FAQs

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

You can use "excessively grave" to describe a situation, tone, or demeanor that is overly serious or somber. For example, "The atmosphere at the meeting was excessively grave, making it difficult for anyone to express their opinions freely."

What can I say instead of "excessively grave"?

You can use alternatives like "unduly serious", "overly solemn", or "inordinately somber" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "excessively grave" or simply "grave"?

The choice depends on the degree of seriousness you wish to convey. "Grave" indicates a serious situation, while "excessively grave" implies that the seriousness is over the top or disproportionate.

What's the difference between "excessively grave" and "unnecessarily serious"?

While both phrases suggest a level of seriousness that is perhaps unwarranted, "excessively grave" emphasizes the intensity of the seriousness itself, while "unnecessarily serious" focuses on the lack of justification for that seriousness.