is pretty excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is considered to be more than what is necessary or reasonable. Example: "The amount of food at the party is pretty excessive; we could have fed twice as many people with what we had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Plenty of classic films have plot glitches, of course, but this one is pretty excessive.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Governments that are motivated by exploiting solely this resource can be pretty excessive in their choice of policies.

The Guardian

"I said, 'I don't know, Earle, that's pretty excessive.'".

Forbes

A strip of wood is pretty flexible.

Interactive QuickTime Authoring wired media

It is pretty straightforward to use.

Embedded Systems Design Using the TI MSP430 Series

The linkage is pretty compelling.

Health Research Policy and Systems

So this is pretty close.

Biology Direct

""Specialist treatment is pretty much non-existent.

BMC Health Services Research

But everything else is pretty loose".

BMC Medical Ethics

"Talking about diet is pretty mainstream medicine".

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Billy's shooting, while certainly excessive, was pretty much emblematic of how most of the young players approached their mission.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is pretty excessive", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard or expectation is being exceeded. This provides a clear frame of reference for the assessment of excessiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty excessive" when a milder term would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty excessive" functions as a subject complement, linking a subject to a descriptive adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. The adverb "pretty" modifies the adjective "excessive", intensifying its meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty excessive" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that exceeds a reasonable limit. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and can be used in a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media, and science-related content. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for general discussions. When writing, consider the specific context to ensure that "is pretty excessive" accurately conveys the degree of excess you intend to express. Be aware there are more formal and more emphatic alternative phrases you can use for academic or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite unreasonable

Replaces 'pretty excessive' with 'quite unreasonable', indicating a slightly more formal and emphatic tone.

is rather extreme

Substitutes 'pretty excessive' with 'rather extreme', suggesting a higher degree of intensity.

is somewhat disproportionate

Replaces 'pretty excessive' with 'somewhat disproportionate', implying an imbalance or lack of proportion.

is fairly outrageous

Substitutes 'pretty excessive' with 'fairly outrageous', indicating a sense of shock or indignation.

is truly exorbitant

Replaces 'pretty excessive' with 'truly exorbitant', emphasizing the high cost or amount involved.

is unusually high

Substitutes 'pretty excessive' with 'unusually high', focusing on the elevated level or quantity.

is remarkably immoderate

Replaces 'pretty excessive' with 'remarkably immoderate', highlighting a lack of restraint or moderation.

is surprisingly unwarranted

Substitutes 'pretty excessive' with 'surprisingly unwarranted', suggesting a lack of justification.

is decidedly undue

Replaces 'pretty excessive' with 'decidedly undue', emphasizing that something is inappropriate or unwarranted.

is plainly superfluous

Substitutes 'pretty excessive' with 'plainly superfluous', indicating that something is unnecessary.

FAQs

How can I use "is pretty excessive" in a sentence?

You can use "is pretty excessive" to describe something that exceeds a reasonable limit or expectation. For example, "The amount of detail in the report is pretty excessive for a preliminary draft."

What's a more formal alternative to "is pretty excessive"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "is quite unreasonable" or "is rather extreme", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is "is pretty excessive" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "is pretty excessive" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using a more precise and less colloquial alternative, such as "is somewhat disproportionate" or "is unduly high".

What's the difference between "is pretty excessive" and "is slightly excessive"?

"Is slightly excessive" implies a minor degree of excess, whereas "is pretty excessive" suggests a more noticeable or significant overabundance. The choice depends on the magnitude of the excess you wish to convey.