greatly exaggerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly exaggerated" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe something that has been exaggerated to a significant extent. It is often used to express that something is not as extreme or severe as others may claim it to be. Example: "The news reports about the crime rate in this neighborhood are greatly exaggerated. I have been living here for years and have never experienced any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I think that's greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian

But it is greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rumors of Merion's demise greatly exaggerated.

The New York Times

It's O.K.; my demise is greatly exaggerated".

The New York Times - Sports

Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated".

The New York Times

Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated".

The Guardian

The non-sphericity of the Earth is greatly exaggerated.

Harvard University

Again, the importance of this is greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus, the pronouncements of indie's demise are indeed greatly exaggerated.

The Guardian - Music

"I think the numbers are greatly exaggerated," the executive said.

The New York Times - Style

The inadequacy of Avery Fisher Hall's current acoustics is greatly exaggerated.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly exaggerated" to temper overblown claims, ensuring a balanced and accurate representation of facts or situations. It adds nuance by acknowledging the presence of an element of truth while correcting the degree of its intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly exaggerated" for slight overstatements. Reserve it for instances where the exaggeration significantly distorts the truth, as overuse can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly exaggerated" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. As supported by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize that something has been overstated to a significant degree. It's used to express disagreement or skepticism regarding a claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greatly exaggerated" is a correct and very common expression used to indicate that something has been overstated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an intensifier, commonly found in contexts like news reporting, academic discussions, and scientific articles. The phrase serves to challenge or downplay a situation's perceived importance. While its usage is widespread, employing it judiciously and considering alternative expressions like "highly overstated" or "largely inflated" can enhance clarity and impact. Overusing this phrase can weaken its effect, and it's most effective when addressing significant distortions of the truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly overstated

Emphasizes the degree to which something has been presented as more significant than it is.

significantly amplified

Highlights the act of increasing the magnitude or importance of something.

considerably magnified

Similar to amplified, but may imply a greater degree of increase.

largely inflated

Focuses on the act of making something seem more important or substantial than it actually is.

grossly distorted

Suggests a misrepresentation that alters the true nature of something.

excessively embellished

Highlights the addition of unnecessary or extravagant details to make something seem better than it is.

seriously blown out of proportion

Indicates that something has been given far more importance than it deserves.

over-dramatized

Focuses on the addition of drama to an event or situation.

painted with too broad a brush

Suggests a lack of nuance, resulting in a distorted and exaggerated representation.

taken to extremes

Highlights how an action or statement has been pushed beyond reasonable limits.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly exaggerated" in a sentence?

You can use "greatly exaggerated" to indicate that something is not as extreme as it's portrayed. For example, "Reports of the company's financial troubles are "greatly exaggerated"."

What are some alternatives to saying "greatly exaggerated"?

Alternatives include "highly overstated", "significantly amplified", or "largely inflated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "greatly exaggerated" or "slightly exaggerated"?

The choice depends on the degree of exaggeration. Use "greatly exaggerated" when the overstatement is significant, and "slightly exaggerated" when it's minor. For moderate cases, consider using "somewhat exaggerated."

What does it mean when someone says "reports of my death are greatly exaggerated"?

This humorous quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, means that rumors of one's downfall or demise are untrue. It implies that the situation is not nearly as dire as others believe.