over attentiveness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over attentiveness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being excessively attentive or overly focused on details, often to the point of distraction or inefficiency. Example: "Her over attentiveness to every minor detail slowed down the project significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rather huffily I put them on, because honestly all the rigmarole, indirect resistance, and over attentiveness had begun to wear thin.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They want to make a good impression, they just cover it up better, often with boisterousness, or over-attentiveness.

Huffington Post

Mr. Yang's minimalist style works as a gaze of all-over, noncommittal attentiveness.

The New York Times - Arts

There are many cases in which realizing one's basic moral duties in no more than a minimally sufficient way may in practice require sustained attentiveness over a long period of time, as well as intensive effort and substantial sacrifice of self-centred activity.

BMC Medical Ethics

When analysing the association between PPRI scores and satisfaction discrepancies with ANOVAs, the results showed that in consultations, where physicians had over-rated patient satisfaction with personal contact, the physicians had been rated significantly lower on Attentiveness, than in the remaining consultations (P<0.001).

British Journal of Cancer

Another interesting finding is the absence of interaction between paradigm and duration, for this shows that the differences observed between both paradigms seem to hold as duration increases, thus suggesting that attentiveness to time would be maintained at a high enough level over a long period.

Plosone

It is a moment of attentiveness.

The Guardian

"This whole thing is about attentiveness.

The New Yorker

THE CROWD Casual crowd, including families; servers varied in attentiveness.

The New York Times

Her poems examine and enact the phenomenon of attentiveness.

The New York Times - Books

"In a healthy patient, [Ritalin use] will cause a flood of neurotransmitters which over-activates the system and can cause hyper attentiveness.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over attentiveness", consider the context. It often implies a negative consequence, such as inefficiency or anxiety. Ensure this connotation aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "over attentiveness" when you simply mean someone is genuinely caring or detail-oriented. The 'over' prefix suggests an excess that leads to negative outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over attentiveness" functions as a noun phrase, typically describing a state or quality. Ludwig AI indicates it's used to denote an excessive degree of attentiveness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over attentiveness" is a valid phrase used to describe an excessive focus on detail, often leading to negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While grammatically correct, it's important to consider the context and potential negative connotations when using this phrase. Alternatives like "excessive attention" or "hyper-vigilance" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. Its register is neutral and frequency is rare, but it can be seen across different categories of sources, including news media and science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive attention

Replaces "attentiveness" with "attention" and "over" with "excessive", emphasizing the quantity of attention given.

hyper-vigilance

Suggests an extreme state of watchfulness, implying a potential for anxiety or paranoia.

undue focus

Highlights the inappropriateness or excessiveness of the concentration.

overzealous attentiveness

Adds the element of "overzealous", suggesting excessive enthusiasm or fervor in being attentive.

exaggerated attentiveness

Emphasizes that the attentiveness is beyond what is normal or reasonable.

obsessive focus

Implies a preoccupation with details that may be unhealthy or counterproductive.

inordinate care

Emphasizes that the level of care is excessive and disproportionate.

excessive solicitude

Uses a more formal term, "solicitude", to describe excessive concern or care.

overdone concern

Highlights the excessive nature of the concern shown.

unwarranted attention

Suggests that the attention given is not justified or deserved.

FAQs

How can I use "over attentiveness" in a sentence?

You can use "over attentiveness" to describe someone who pays too much attention to details, potentially hindering progress. For instance, "Her "over attentiveness" to minor errors slowed down the entire project."

What's the difference between "over attentiveness" and "attentiveness"?

Attentiveness generally implies a positive trait of being observant and caring. "Over attentiveness", however, suggests an excessive level of attention that can be detrimental.

What are some alternatives to "over attentiveness"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "excessive attention", "hyper-vigilance", or "undue focus" as alternatives to "over attentiveness".

Is "over attentiveness" a negative trait?

The term "over attentiveness" usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the level of attention is excessive and leads to undesirable outcomes, such as delays or increased anxiety. However the semantic negative charge depends on the context.