overly expansive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly expansive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively broad or extensive in scope or range. Example: "The report was criticized for being overly expansive, covering too many topics without sufficient depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I recognize that there may have been some overly expansive applications of § 1341 in the past.

Cornell University

However, that seems to be an overly expansive reading of the Court's decision.

Harvard University

He said overly expansive coverage encourages doctors to use patients as guinea pigs for unproved therapies.

The New York Times - Health

Pruitt and other opponents argued that the law was based on an overly expansive reading of the Clean Air Act.

The New Yorker

Judge Alsup is sympathetic to the harm that can come from overly expansive claims of innovation as property.

Harvard Business Review

Did Mr. Nguyen, in the case of the Olson patent, merely apply an overly expansive definition of what is patentable?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

expansive (expansion) phase.

Earth, Planets and Space

He's not overly fond of eye contact, and he's taciturn where Bang­alter is expansive.

Huffington Post

But he was not expansive.

The Economist

Overly harsh?

The New York Times

Overly wacky?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overly expansive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being excessively broadened. Providing specific examples helps the reader understand the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "overly expansive" as a generic criticism. Instead, specify which aspects are excessively broad or inclusive to provide a more constructive assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly expansive" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is excessively broad or extensive. This assessment aligns with Ludwig's examples, where it's used to describe legal interpretations, coverage, and definitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overly expansive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies something is excessively broad or extensive. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure you specify what aspect is excessively broad to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "excessively broad" or "unduly extensive" can be used for nuanced expression. By providing context and clarity, you can effectively communicate your critique of something's scope using "overly expansive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively broad

Focuses on the breadth or scope being too large.

unduly extensive

Emphasizes the extent or range being inappropriately large.

inordinately wide

Highlights the width or range as being excessive.

unjustifiably broad

Adds a sense of lacking justification for the breadth.

disproportionately large

Focuses on the size being out of proportion.

overly comprehensive

Emphasizes the completeness being excessive.

excessively inclusive

Focuses on the inclusion being too broad.

unnecessarily detailed

Highlights the level of detail as being superfluous.

overly inclusive

Indicates that the scope includes too many elements.

unduly comprehensive

Similar to overly comprehensive, but with a stronger sense of inappropriateness.

FAQs

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

You can use "overly expansive" to describe anything that is excessively broad in scope, such as "The report was criticized for being overly expansive, covering too many topics without sufficient depth."

What are some alternatives to "overly expansive"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively broad", "unduly extensive", or "inordinately wide" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "overly expansive"?

It's appropriate when you want to critique something for being too broad or including too much, leading to a lack of focus or detail. For example, "The legal definition was overly expansive, encompassing actions that should not have been included."

Is "overly expansive" the same as "too broad"?

While similar, "overly expansive" often implies that something not only includes too much but also that this excessiveness is problematic. "Too broad" is a more neutral statement. You can replace "overly expansive" with "excessively broad" or "unduly extensive".