excessively pragmatic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively pragmatic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is overly focused on practical considerations, often at the expense of other important factors. Example: "While being practical is important, his excessively pragmatic approach often stifles creativity and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Young people have tended to be either excessively pragmatic (1950s) or excessively idealistic (1960s) -- or excessively cynical (Generation X), but the combination and balance of pragmatism and idealism in my generation is producing some exciting results.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Pragmatic, too.

The Guardian - Film

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

(Pragmatic Capitalism).

The Economist

Silly, excessively sober me.

The New York Times - Food

"I was excessively disciplined.

The New York Times - Magazine

Excessively long subtitles.

The Economist

John Major was excessively diabolical.

The Economist

Radical, pragmatic.

The Guardian

Pragmatic convenience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessively pragmatic", ensure that the context clearly indicates the negative consequences of prioritizing practicality over other potentially important considerations like ethics, creativity, or long-term vision. This phrase carries a critical connotation, suggesting that pragmatism has gone too far.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively pragmatic" simply as a stronger synonym for 'pragmatic'. The 'excessively' component implies a negative judgment, suggesting that the focus on practicality is detrimental in the given situation. Ensure the sentence reflects this critical perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively pragmatic" functions as an adverbial modifier that intensifies and qualifies the adjective 'pragmatic'. It describes the degree to which someone or something is pragmatic, implying that the level of pragmatism is beyond what is considered reasonable or beneficial. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessively pragmatic" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that someone or something is overly focused on practical considerations to a detrimental extent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase carries a negative connotation and is most commonly found in news and media contexts, criticizing an over-reliance on practicality. To avoid misusing the phrase, it's important to remember its critical nuance and ensure that the context clearly indicates the adverse effects of prioritizing pragmatism above other factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too pragmatic

Directly implies an overemphasis on practicality.

overly practical

Replaces 'pragmatic' with a synonym emphasizing practicality.

excessively practical

Uses a synonym for 'pragmatic' while maintaining the 'excessively' modifier.

unduly pragmatic

Substitutes 'excessively' with 'unduly', suggesting inappropriateness.

inordinately pragmatic

Uses 'inordinately' to convey a higher degree of excessiveness.

overly concerned with practicality

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention concern with practicality.

excessively focused on the practical

Rephrases to emphasize the focus on practical matters.

obsessively pragmatic

Conveys a sense of being consumed by pragmatic considerations.

fanatically pragmatic

Indicates an extreme and unwavering adherence to pragmatism.

hyper-pragmatic

Uses 'hyper-' as a prefix to emphasize the extreme nature of pragmatism.

FAQs

How to use "excessively pragmatic" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively pragmatic" to describe a person, decision, or approach that prioritizes practicality to a degree that it becomes detrimental. For example, "While his plans were efficient, they were also "excessively pragmatic", ignoring ethical considerations".

What are some synonyms for "excessively pragmatic"?

Alternatives to "excessively pragmatic" include "overly practical", "too pragmatic", or "unduly pragmatic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "pragmatic" and "excessively pragmatic"?

"Pragmatic" generally has a positive connotation, meaning practical and realistic. "Excessively pragmatic" implies that the pragmatism has gone too far, leading to negative consequences by ignoring other important factors.

Is it always negative to be "excessively pragmatic"?

Yes, the term "excessively pragmatic" inherently carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the focus on practicality is so strong that it overrides other crucial considerations, leading to undesirable outcomes. It implies a lack of balance or foresight.