overcommitted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overcommitted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has taken on too many responsibilities or obligations, leading to an inability to fulfill them all. Example: "After taking on several new projects at work, I realized I was overcommitted and needed to reassess my workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They became convinced, after the bear market of 2000-02, they they were overcommitted to shares.

The Economist

But the bubble suddenly burst, and despite its clever manufacturing system Cisco was left heavily overcommitted as some of its customers slashed their spending.

The Economist

Murphy writes that "Americans have been casting eyes back to ancient Rome since before the Revolution," and goes on to interrogate the comparisons drawn both by "triumphalists," who see the world's only superpower in terms of the Roman Empire at its height, and by "declinists," who see America as "dangerously overcommitted abroad and rusted out at home," like Rome before its fall.

The New Yorker

We could find ourselves overcommitted before we've set up full integrated automation... Well, as far as I'm concerned, the problem still comes down to this - whether or not ladies are going to buy our sneakers or somebody' else's.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gatti is a gifted and experienced maestro in midcareer and seems not to be overcommitted by the standards of conductors today, despite major posts at the Orchestre National de France and the Zurich Opera.

The New York Times - Arts

Delving further, the poll found wide agreement that United States military forces are too overcommitted to get involved in another conflict, and that Syrian opposition groups may not be any better than the current government.

The New York Times

They are seen and photographed everywhere — parties, openings, restaurants — and they really don't care if you think they're overexposed, overcommitted, over-stimulated, caffeinated or otherwise.

The New York Times

A Broadway run for the Cate Blanchett-led "Streetcar Named Desire" would have probably overcommitted her Sydney Theater Company at a time that it is "approaching an extremely full artistic program in 2010 and deep into planning for 2011," a spokesman for the company said, explaining why a Broadway transfer is now off.

The New York Times

Converging, Nick Swisher said he overcommitted, and the ball glanced off his glove as he dived, clearing the bases and restoring hope to a Twins team that, including the postseason, had lost 31 of its previous 37 games in the Bronx.

The New York Times - Sports

I appeared in the first-grade classroom with plans to catch the third-grade hike, feeling overcommitted and frantic.

The New York Times

She was so overcommitted, she said, that she could not find time to celebrate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overcommitted", clarify the area where the commitment is excessive to provide context. For example, specify if someone is "overcommitted" at work, in sports, or with social engagements to give readers a more precise understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience understands the implications of being "overcommitted". Explain the consequences, such as decreased productivity, increased stress, or missed deadlines, to fully convey the negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The term "overcommitted" primarily functions as a verb form (past participle/adjective) used to describe a state of being excessively dedicated or obligated to multiple tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms this usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

12%

Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overcommitted" is a versatile term used to describe a state of being excessively burdened with responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, sports, and lifestyle content. When using "overcommitted", be sure to provide context to the specific area of excessive commitment, and remember that alternatives like "spread too thin" or "overextended" can provide nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overextended

Suggests pushing oneself beyond capacity, similar to being "overcommitted" in workload.

overburdened

Highlights the excessive weight of responsibilities, similar to feeling "overcommitted".

spread too thin

Implies resources or attention are divided among too many tasks, reducing effectiveness.

swamped

Describes being overwhelmed with too much to do, implying a lack of control.

stretched to the limit

Indicates resources or capabilities are being used to their maximum extent.

maxed out

Indicates reaching the limit of available resources or time, a more informal way of saying "overcommitted".

up to one's ears

An idiomatic expression meaning deeply involved and busy, synonymous with being "overcommitted".

bogged down

Suggests being stuck or delayed by excessive commitments.

tied up

Implies being unavailable due to existing commitments.

fully booked

Focuses specifically on scheduling conflicts and lack of availability.

FAQs

How can I use "overcommitted" in a sentence?

You can use "overcommitted" to describe someone who has taken on too many responsibilities, such as, "She realized she was "overcommitted" when she started missing deadlines."

What's a good alternative to saying someone is "overcommitted"?

Depending on the context, you could say someone is "spread too thin", "overextended", or "maxed out".

Is it better to say "overcommitted" or "too committed"?

"Overcommitted" implies taking on too many commitments, leading to stress or inefficiency. "Too committed" might suggest excessive dedication to a single cause, which isn't always negative. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when resources are described as "overcommitted"?

When resources are "overcommitted", it means they are being used for too many purposes or allocated to too many projects, potentially leading to shortages or reduced effectiveness in each area.