much too great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much too great" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something exceeds a certain level or standard, often in a negative context. Example: "The cost of the project is much too great for our current budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The demand for effective executives is much too great to be satisfied by those few people who are simply born to lead.

Harvard Business Review

Defending the conference organization, Warren H. Lindner, an American environmentalist who is coordinating a parallel fair of private groups in Rio, said today: "The momentum toward Rio is much too great for it to go fundamentally off track.

The New York Times

Another threat to solidarity on the home front is a rising feeling among average voters and among members of both parties on Capitol Hill that the United States is bearing much too great a share of the burden in the gulf.

The New York Times

The Internet retailers say there are limits to how much disparity in tax systems they can easily program into their computers and that the disparity is much too great now -- given not only the differences between states but also between some cities and towns with varying rates and exemptions.

The New York Times

"There's no room for complacency whatsoever here," warns Craig Sholley, program development officer with the African Wildlife Foundation in Washington, D.C. "The pressures are much too great and the population much too small".

Science Magazine

We are not perfect, and if we have ever felt frustrated at one another, nothing is more powerful than "I'm sorry, I love you". As much as we love taking risks, we hold true to never going to bed angry because the possibility of never waking up is much too great of a risk to take.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If this all seems like too much effort, too great a risk, or perhaps you're happy with your current hues, you could consider changing the way in which you apply colour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most people with broken necks don't have partners, either because they had an accident before they met one or because the strain of looking after them proved too much, was too great a sacrifice of self, to be tolerated.

The Guardian

Or perhaps the risk of revealing too much is too great for many to take.

BBC

It's common ground in the Conservative Party and in the country that the powers of the European Union have increased too much, are too great and need to be diminished".

BBC

They have too much dignity, too great a heft of moral virtue in their hearts, to sully themselves with such unethical and vulgar dressings.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much too great", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard or limit is being exceeded. For example, "The risk involved was "much too great" for the potential reward" is more effective than simply stating "The risk was "much too great".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "much too great" can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "excessive" or "prohibitive", especially in formal writing. Consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much too great" functions as a degree modifier, intensifying the adjective "great". It expresses that something exceeds a certain level or standard by a significant amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much too great" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something significantly exceeds an acceptable level. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and science. When writing, be mindful of the context and audience to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone, and consider alternatives like "excessively large" or "far too large" for enhanced formality. Avoiding overuse and ensuring contextual clarity are key to effectively employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far too large

Highlights the degree of being too large.

excessively large

Emphasizes size and magnitude.

unduly high

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the high level.

unacceptably high

Highlights the unsuitability of the level.

way too big

More informal and emphasizes size.

inordinately large

Emphasizes the exceeding of reasonable bounds.

overly significant

Focuses on the importance or consequence being excessive.

immoderately high

Focuses on lack of moderation in level.

prohibitively expensive

Focuses on cost being a barrier.

out of proportion

Suggests an imbalance or lack of proper relation to something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "much too great" to describe something that exceeds an acceptable or manageable level. For instance, "The burden on the healthcare system was "much too great" during the pandemic".

What are some alternatives to "much too great"?

Alternatives include "excessively large", "far too large", or "unacceptably high", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "much too great"?

While grammatically correct, "much too great" might not be the most sophisticated choice in all contexts. Consider alternatives if you're aiming for a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "too great" and "much too great"?

"Much" intensifies the degree. "Too great" indicates something exceeds a limit; "much too great" emphasizes that it significantly exceeds that limit.