overly dependent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly dependent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something relies too much on another person or thing. Example: "The student was overly dependent on his tutor for help with his assignments, which hindered his ability to learn independently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They're not overly dependent on the U.S".

The New York Times

Instead, people were overly dependent on 140 West Street".

The New York Times

Like many Americans, Mr. Bruggemeyer grew overly dependent on stocks.

The New York Times

Recently Australia have been overly dependent on Hussey and Clarke for runs.

The Guardian - Sport

This leaves him overly dependent on his serve, which Federer reads well.

The New York Times - Sports

The police and prosecution in Scotland simply ignored these recommendations and became overly dependent on confession evidence.

The Guardian

Kidney felt that the agency was overly dependent on the kind of direct evidence it had against Tourre.

The New Yorker

Critics in Taiwan, however, worry that it will make the island overly dependent on its vast, upwardly mobile neighbor.

The New York Times

With the added size, the Knicks may not be as overly dependent on their 3-point shooting.

The New York Times - Sports

Without them, growth may slow and Chile will remain overly dependent on copper.

The Economist

With Nicklas Bendtner also out for a month, Arsenal are now overly dependent on Olivier Giroud.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overly dependent", ensure it's clear what the subject is excessively relying on. Providing specific context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "overly dependent" when describing healthy, reciprocal relationships. Dependence becomes 'overly' when it's unbalanced or hinders autonomy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly dependent" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an excessive degree of reliance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe situations where something relies too much on another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overly dependent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes an excessive degree of reliance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news and business, to express concern about unbalanced dependence. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clarify what is being relied upon and to avoid applying it to healthy, reciprocal relationships. Alternatives such as "excessively reliant" or "unduly dependent" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively reliant

Emphasizes reliance to an extreme degree.

over-reliant

A shorter, more concise way to express the same idea.

too reliant

A simpler and more direct way to say that someone or something depends too much on something else.

unduly dependent

Suggests the dependence is inappropriate or unjustified.

inordinately reliant

Highlights that the dependence is beyond what is normal or reasonable.

disproportionately dependent

Indicates an imbalance in the level of reliance.

overmuch reliance

Focuses on the reliance itself being excessive.

heavily reliant

Indicates a strong dependence, though not necessarily negative.

largely dependent

Suggests a significant portion relies on something.

primarily dependent

Highlights that the main source of support or function is reliant.

FAQs

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

You can use "overly dependent" to describe something that relies too much on something else. For example, "The company was "overly dependent" on a single client for its revenue."

What are some alternatives to saying "overly dependent"?

Alternatives include "excessively reliant", "unduly dependent", or "over-reliant", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "overly dependent" or "too dependent"?

"Overly dependent" and "too dependent" are similar, but "overly dependent" implies a more critical or negative assessment of the dependence. "Too dependent" is a more general statement of excessive reliance.

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

"Dependent" simply means relying on something or someone, while "overly dependent" indicates that the reliance is excessive or inappropriate. It suggests a negative consequence or imbalance resulting from the reliance.