nearly excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is approaching an excessive level but has not quite reached it. Example: "The noise from the construction site was nearly excessive, making it difficult to concentrate on my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He disputed claims about excessive noise and partying at the house and said he had paid nearly $1,000 in fines.

Los Angeles Times

Most often the maxilla is the principal focus of surgery in skeletal open bite dysplasia, as the vertical development of the nasomaxillary complex is nearly always excessive in these individuals [10].

Progress in Orthodontics

12 Medicaid coverage decreased the probability of a positive screening for depression (−9.15 percentage points; 95% CI −16.70 to −1.60; p=0.02), increased the use of many preventive services and nearly eliminated excessive out-of-pocket medical expenditures.

BMJ Open

The department audit said he received nearly $162,000 in excessive pay in 1988 for three unauthorized job titles and ineligible overtime, vacation and other stipends.

The New York Times

Distinct from the narrative storytelling of events, this second zone offers detailed and illustrated biographies of each victim in arguably excessive, nearly voyeuristic, extension of the more elegant abstraction of the bronze panel names arrayed aboveground at the lips of the memorial waterfalls.

Huffington Post

Moreover, the notion of a former President's phone being tapped for nearly a year seemed excessive to many French.

The New Yorker

Nearly two weeks of excessive policing and harassment in Ferguson proves that the black body in public space is still criminal before innocent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nearly 70% admit that excessive complexity is raising their costs and hindering their profit growth, according to a 2005 Bain survey of more than 900 global executives.

Harvard Business Review

Although Officer Meyer was charged nearly two years ago with using excessive force in the Brooklyn incident, it was not until after the shooting of Mr. Reid, 38, that the charges against him were amended to include making false statements.

The New York Times

In 2010, excessive expansion nearly bankrupted the retailer.

HuffPost

Written amid the passions of battle, the 167 letters display a fierce patriotism that those reading them nearly 70 years later may find excessive.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly excessive" to precisely convey that something is approaching an unacceptable or extreme level without fully reaching it. This nuance is helpful when describing situations where the degree of excess is subjective or still developing.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly excessive" when the situation is already definitively excessive. Reserve it for cases where the degree is borderline or subjective. Don't use the phrase when "excessive" alone would be more accurate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly excessive" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a state approaching but not fully reaching excessiveness. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction serves to qualify or temper the degree of excess.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly excessive" serves as a compound adjective, indicating that something is approaching but not fully reaching a state of excessiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and usable in a variety of contexts. While its frequency is relatively low, the phrase provides a valuable tool for expressing nuanced judgments, particularly in professional and neutral registers. When using "nearly excessive", ensure that it accurately reflects the borderline nature of the situation and that "excessive" alone would not be more appropriate. Alternatives include "almost too much" and "bordering on extreme".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost too much

This alternative directly expresses the idea of something reaching the limit of acceptability or tolerance. It changes the structure to a more direct adjective phrase.

bordering on extreme

This phrase indicates that something is approaching the point of being considered extreme, but hasn't fully crossed that line. It focuses on the potential for a drastic level.

almost extravagant

This suggests the action is closely resembling the quality of being "extravagant", without actually fully embracing it

verging on immoderation

This suggests a tendency towards a lack of restraint or control, but not quite there yet. It uses more formal vocabulary.

close to being inordinate

This alternative suggests that something is approaching an unreasonable or disproportionate amount. It emphasizes quantity or degree.

approaching undue

This phrase signifies that something is nearing a state of being inappropriate or unwarranted. It centers on the lack of justification for the excess.

becoming unreasonable

This indicates a developing state of irrationality or lack of moderation. It focuses on a process of escalating excess.

tending towards extravagance

This suggests a leaning towards lavishness or wastefulness, but without fully committing to it. It highlights the potential for unnecessary expenditure.

getting out of hand

This implies a situation nearing a state of being unmanageable or uncontrolled due to excess. It's a more colloquial expression.

on the verge of exaggeration

This refers to something nearing the point of being overstated or embellished beyond what is true. It emphasizes the potential for distortion.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly excessive" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly excessive" to describe something that is approaching an unacceptable level, such as "The noise level was "nearly excessive", making it hard to concentrate."

What are some alternatives to "nearly excessive"?

Alternatives include "almost too much", "bordering on extreme", or "verging on immoderation". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is "nearly excessive" the same as "excessive"?

No, "nearly excessive" implies something is approaching an excessive level but hasn't fully reached it. "Excessive" means it has already surpassed an acceptable limit.

When is it appropriate to use "nearly excessive" instead of "excessive"?

Use "nearly excessive" when you want to convey that something is close to being too much, but not quite there yet. It adds a degree of nuance and subjectivity.