far too humane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too humane" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is excessively compassionate or kind, often in a context where such qualities may be seen as inappropriate or excessive. Example: "The judge's decision to give a lenient sentence was criticized as being far too humane for the severity of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

No, that would have been far too humane – and besides, there was another group of players whose case for the honours was just as pressing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We are too humane to be warriors".

The New York Times

Far, far, too cheap.

The Economist

Too little, far too late.

The New York Times

Far too racist.

The New Yorker

Far too many died.

The New York Times

Far too vulgar.

The Economist

Far too young.

Independent

Far too sensitive!

The Economist

Far too democratic".

The New Yorker

Far too far.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too humane" to critique decisions or actions where a stricter, less compassionate approach might be expected or more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "far too humane" in contexts where compassion is naturally expected and valued; it is best reserved for situations where leniency is questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too humane" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express that something is excessively or inappropriately compassionate. It is used to express a critical perspective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far too humane" is an adjective phrase used to express that something is excessively compassionate or lenient, often critically. It is grammatically correct and usable, though rare in occurrence according to Ludwig. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it suggests that leniency may be inappropriate or detrimental. While expressing a critical point of view, it's essential to consider the potential for overuse in contexts where compassion is naturally valued. Understanding its implications can allow for a more nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively lenient

Focuses on the degree of leniency, implying it exceeds reasonable limits.

overly compassionate

Highlights the emotional aspect of compassion being excessive.

unjustifiably lenient

Highlights the lack of justification for the leniency.

unduly merciful

Emphasizes the inappropriate or unjustified nature of the mercy shown.

inappropriately compassionate

Emphasizes the unsuitability of the compassion in the given situation.

excessively forgiving

Focuses on the act of forgiveness and its excessive nature.

excessively kind

Highlights the degree of kindness being inappropriate.

far too gentle

Emphasizes a lack of appropriate severity or firmness.

overly generous

Highlights the excessive generosity.

unduly tolerant

Emphasizes that the tolerance is not justified or appropriate.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "far too humane"?

Use "far too humane" when you want to suggest that an action or decision is excessively compassionate or lenient, perhaps to the point of being detrimental or inappropriate for the situation. It often carries a critical connotation.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of something being "far too humane"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "excessively lenient", "unduly merciful", or "inappropriately compassionate".

Is "far too humane" always negative in connotation?

Yes, the phrase typically carries a negative connotation, implying that a decision or action was excessively compassionate or lenient to the point of being unwise or detrimental. It is rarely used in a positive sense.

What is the difference between "far too humane" and "very humane"?

"Very humane" describes an action as being highly compassionate and kind, generally in a positive way. "Far too humane", on the other hand, suggests that the level of compassion is excessive and potentially inappropriate or unwise. The former is commendatory, while the latter is critical.