far too great

USAGE SUMMARY

"far too great" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is much greater than what you expected or hoped for. For example, "The level of suffering in the world right now is far too great."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since the number of chemicals present in the Great Lakes is far too great for each to be adequately reviewed here, discussion will be limited to those contaminants that have been identified in human serum, ovarian follicular fluid, and semen obtained from people residing in the Great Lakes region.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The pain was far too great.

The New York Times

The demands are far too great now.

Independent

"The risk is far too great.

The New York Times

The competition is far too great.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The expectations for this debate were... far too great.

The Guardian

Social tolerance of excessive drinking has become far too great.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does that lesson not come at far too great a cost?

The New Yorker

America's power is far too great to be easily or quickly dislodged.

The New Yorker

The deep-seated well of sadness from this experience is far too great.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have let one man have far too great a sway over our national life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far too great", consider the context and ensure that the intensity of the phrase aligns with the situation you are describing. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "far too great" in every situation where something is excessive. Overuse can diminish its impact. Consider using simpler alternatives like "too much" or "excessive" for variety and to maintain the emphasis when you truly need it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too great" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the excessive degree of a particular quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something is much more than what is expected or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far too great" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something is excessively large, high, or significant. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys a strong sense of excess. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it effectively communicates disapproval or concern due to the unmanageable magnitude. While its widespread use across authoritative sources validates its appropriateness, remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "excessively large" or "unacceptably high" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively large

Focuses on the size aspect of being beyond a reasonable limit.

unacceptably high

Emphasizes that the level is beyond what is considered permissible or tolerable.

prohibitively expensive

Specifically refers to cost being a barrier due to its magnitude.

overwhelmingly significant

Highlights the importance or impact of something being excessive.

impossibly difficult

Focuses on the insurmountable challenge presented by the magnitude.

exceedingly burdensome

Stresses the heavy or oppressive nature of the excessive amount.

inordinately vast

Highlights the extent and scale as being beyond normal.

unduly excessive

Indicates that the amount is inappropriately or unjustifiably high.

outrageously enormous

Emphasizes the shocking and extreme nature of the size or amount.

unmanageably large

Focuses on the difficulty of controlling or dealing with the magnitude.

FAQs

How can I use "far too great" in a sentence?

The phrase "far too great" is used to express that something is much more than what is acceptable or manageable. For example, "The risk is "far too great" to proceed with the experiment."

What are some alternatives to saying "far too great"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "excessively large", "unacceptably high", or "prohibitively expensive".

Is "too great" or "far too great" stronger?

"Far too great" is a stronger expression than "too great". The addition of "far" emphasizes the excessiveness of something, making it more emphatic.

Can "far too great" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "far too great" is suitable for formal writing. It is used in news articles, scientific papers, and business documents to express a significant degree of excess.