excessively sugary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively sugary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has an extremely high level of sweetness, usually in a negative connotation. For example: - The cake was excessively sugary, causing me to feel sick after just one bite. - The soda was excessively sugary, leaving a sticky residue on my teeth. - My taste buds were overwhelmed by the excessively sugary taste of the candy. - The dessert was delicious but excessively sugary, making it hard to finish the whole serving.

✓ Grammatically correct

Food

Drink

General descriptions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

An apple crumble was excessively sugary.

The New York Times - Food

At 9.30am on my first day, an office attendant appeared to make me a cup of Karak, an excessively sugary local tea.

The Guardian

Rum was her spirit of choice, for its tropical tilt and its body and sweetness; to stave off an excessively sugary effect, she added bitters.

The New York Times

Brisk, brash and colourful, it has an optimism that puts it at odds with much of the TV landscape, though with enough of a mordant streak to keep it from feeling excessively sugary.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Avoid excessively sugary foods.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Or overly sugary soufflés.

The New York Times - Food

Reduce or eliminate foods that are excessively oily or sugary.

WikiHow

Eat small, frequent, fresh meals, and avoid excessively fatty or sugary foods.

WikiHow

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

Take some sugary liquid.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "excessively sugary" to indicate an unpleasantly high level of sweetness that detracts from the overall experience.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively sugary" when intending to convey pleasant sweetness. The phrase generally carries a negative connotation. Instead, use terms like "sweet", "deliciously sweet", or "perfectly sweetened" for positive descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively sugary" functions as an adjectival modifier. It describes a noun (usually a food or drink item) by indicating that it contains a quantity of sugar that is beyond what is desirable or acceptable. Ludwig indicates that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessively sugary" is an adjectival phrase used to describe something with an unpleasantly high level of sweetness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. Although relatively rare in occurrence, its primary function is to convey a negative judgment about the taste or quality of the item being described. It can be used in both formal and informal writing, though it is important to consider its negative connotation. Ludwig's examples show the phrase appearing in neutral contexts like news articles and general descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly sweet

Focuses more directly on the sweetness level, omitting the emphasis on the excess.

cloyingly sweet

Implies an unpleasant level of sweetness that can be sickening.

sickly sweet

Suggests a sweetness that is unwholesome or artificial.

intensely sweet

Highlights the strength of the sweetness, but not necessarily in a negative way.

heavily sweetened

Focuses on the process of adding sugar, rather than the resulting taste.

sugar-laden

Emphasizes a high quantity of sugar.

packed with sugar

Highlights the high amount of sugar included.

honeyed

Refers to a specific type of sweetness similar to honey.

syrupy

Implies a thick, sugary consistency.

candy-like

Suggests an artificial or overly processed sweetness.

FAQs

What does "excessively sugary" mean?

The phrase "excessively sugary" describes something that contains an amount of sugar that is considered too high or unpleasant. It typically implies that the sweetness is overpowering or detrimental to the overall quality of the item being described.

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

You might say, "The cake was "excessively sugary", making it difficult to enjoy more than a bite" or "I found the drink to be "excessively sugary" and couldn't finish it."

What are some alternatives to "excessively sugary"?

Alternatives include "overly sweet", "cloyingly sweet", or "sickly sweet", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "excessively sugary" in formal writing?

Yes, "excessively sugary" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, although its negative connotation should be considered. In formal contexts, ensure the description is accurate and objective.