far too neat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too neat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively tidy or organized, often implying that it may be overly simplistic or lacking in depth. Example: "The presentation was far too neat, lacking the complexity that the topic deserved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And that's the problem: it's far too neat.

The Guardian - Books

I was allowed a very few small holes, in which I planted thymes and Dresden China daisies, and the effect was far too neat and tidy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're either far too neat or far too messy, and for a show as nuanced, spare and, well, lauded as Breaking Bad, a lacklustre ending would have been devastating to its reputation.

Independent

But on that press room I was something of an expert, having been sentenced to it for a year, and the reconstituted version, I told Mr. Schiller, was both far too big and far too neat.

The New York Times - Books

The idea that we'd say goodbye to Don and the SC&P crew as they jetted off into the sun – and Joan into the arms of new beau Richard Burghoff – would be far too neat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Sometimes there's a snapshot of a few desks, each of which is far too neat for anyone to actually have done any work on.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The point here is that the 'falsification/corroboration' disjunction offered by Popper is far too logically neat: non-corroboration is not necessarily falsification, and falsification of a high-level scientific theory is never brought about by an isolated observation or set of observations.

SEP

But for the most part Mr. Szkotak's nightmarish vision is far too bizarre to fit easily into neat political references.

The New York Times

But far too much of the concert was just clever and neat.

The New York Times - Arts

Robert Mak got away from Aaron Ramsey and Dave Edwards far too easily on the Slovakia right and the winger's neat cut-back was dispatched by Duda, who drilled a low shot across Ward and into the far corner.

The Guardian - Sport

While neat boxes are often tempting to apply, the human personality is far too complex for such an approach.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too neat" to express skepticism or criticism when something appears overly simplified or conveniently arranged, suggesting a lack of depth or underlying issues. It is effective in pointing out a lack of realism.

Common error

Avoid using "far too neat" in contexts where a neutral or positive description is needed. The phrase often implies a negative assessment of something's simplicity or orderliness. Consider alternatives like 'very organized' or 'well-structured' when describing something positively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too neat" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It intensifies the adjective "neat" while also conveying a sense of skepticism or disapproval. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the phrase suggests that something is not just tidy, but excessively so, often implying a negative assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far too neat" is a versatile expression used to convey skepticism or disapproval towards something perceived as overly simplified or conveniently arranged. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct, though used more commonly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle negative connotation it carries. Consider alternative phrases like "excessively orderly" or "overly simplified" to better fit the intended tone. Avoid using it in contexts where a positive or neutral assessment is needed. The phrase works best when you are looking for something deeper or more complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively orderly

Focuses on the high degree of order present.

excessively tidy

Focuses on the state of being very tidy.

overly simplified

Emphasizes the lack of complexity.

too contrived

Highlights the artificial and unnatural nature of the neatness.

a bit too perfect

Emphasizes the flawlessness of the situation.

implausibly neat

Suggests that the neatness is difficult to believe or achieve.

unrealistically organized

Focuses on the level of organization, and suggest it cannot be real.

suspiciously tidy

Suggests that the neatness is intended to hide something.

too well-packaged

Highlights how something may have been over-presented.

conveniently arranged

Emphasizes the easiness in which something was arranged.

FAQs

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

You can use "far too neat" to describe something that appears overly simplified or suspiciously organized, suggesting a lack of depth or realism. For example, "The explanation was "far too neat" to be entirely believable".

What's a more formal alternative to "far too neat"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "excessively orderly", "overly simplistic", or "implausibly neat". These phrases offer a more nuanced and professional tone.

What does "far too neat" imply about a situation?

"Far too neat" often implies that something is suspiciously well-organized or lacks necessary complexity. It suggests a level of order that seems contrived or unrealistic.

How does "far too neat" differ from "very organized"?

"Far too neat" carries a critical connotation, suggesting something is overly simplified. "Very organized", on the other hand, is a neutral or positive description of efficiency and order.