overly ambitious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly ambitious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has goals or aspirations that are excessively high or unrealistic. Example: "While her plans for the project are impressive, they may be considered overly ambitious given the limited resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was Sister Theresa overly ambitious?

University of California, Berkeley

Are we being overly ambitious?

The Guardian - Travel

Others say that's overly ambitious.

The Washington Post

The sale was overly ambitious.

The New York Times

Sounds overly ambitious doesn't it?

The Guardian

"We were overly ambitious," Mr. Hwin says.

The New York Times - Tech

I think we were overly ambitious.

The New York Times

1. Drafting an overly ambitious agenda.

Harvard Business Review

On a related note, don't be overly ambitious.

Stanford University

I have long thought this policy overly ambitious.

Columbia University

To some this goal may seem overly ambitious.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Balance criticism with constructive feedback. Acknowledge the positive aspects of ambition while pointing out potential pitfalls of being "overly ambitious".

Common error

Avoid using "overly ambitious" as a vague criticism without providing supporting evidence or specific examples. Instead, explain what makes the goal unrealistic or why the current resources are insufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly ambitious" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe something as excessively or unrealistically aspirational. As seen in Ludwig, it is frequently used to critique plans or goals that are considered too optimistic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overly ambitious" serves as a critical descriptor for plans, goals, or individuals perceived as excessively aspirational or unrealistic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, including news, academia, and formal business settings. While ambition is generally viewed positively, "overly ambitious" suggests a need for caution and a reassessment of feasibility. Effective communication involves providing specific reasons why a plan is considered "overly ambitious", balancing criticism with constructive feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonably ambitious

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the ambition.

too ambitious

A more general term indicating an excess of ambition.

excessively aspirational

Highlights the focus on aspirations rather than practical achievement.

unduly ambitious

Suggests the ambition is inappropriate or unwarranted.

overly optimistic

Focuses on the positive expectations aspect of ambition, possibly unrealistic.

overreaching

Implies that the ambition has caused someone to go beyond their capabilities or resources.

unrealistically optimistic

Highlights the impracticality and lack of realism in the ambition.

grandiose

Suggests the ambition is exaggerated and perhaps delusional.

impractical

Emphasizes that the ambition is not feasible or realistic in practice.

utopian

Implies the ambition is idealistic and unlikely to be realized.

FAQs

How can I use "overly ambitious" in a sentence?

You can use "overly ambitious" to describe plans, goals, or people that are considered excessively aspirational or unrealistic. For example, "The project's timeline seems "overly ambitious" given the limited resources."

What's the difference between "ambitious" and "overly ambitious"?

"Ambitious" generally has a positive connotation, suggesting a strong desire for success or achievement. "Overly ambitious" implies that the ambition is excessive or unrealistic, potentially leading to negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "overly ambitious"?

You can use alternatives like "too ambitious", "unrealistically optimistic", or "overreaching" depending on the specific context.

Is it always bad to be "overly ambitious"?

Not necessarily. While being "overly ambitious" can lead to disappointment or failure, it can also drive innovation and push boundaries. The key is to balance ambition with realism and adaptability.