overly generous and

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly generous and" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is excessively giving or kind, often in a context where it may be seen as too much. Example: "Her overly generous and kind nature often led her to give more than she could afford."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the Nets' offer seems overly generous and almost certainly self-defeating in the long run.

The New York Times - Sports

Bathrooms aren't overly generous and towels could be fluffier, but who needs to linger?

Independent

The European welfare system is overly generous and many countries can no longer afford it.

The New York Times

Critics say that the incentives are overly generous and that they take money from hard-pressed state budgets.

The New York Times

Dessert was overly generous, and could hardly be better at dinner, which costs twice the $44.70 we were charged for lunch.

The New York Times - Travel

He adds: "Some of it at times has been overly generous, and then other times it has been quite restrictive".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We are sweeping away the out-of-date and overly generous benefits, and introducing a one-off uplift in pay.

The Guardian

Ipsa chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said: "We are sweeping away the out-of-date and overly generous benefits, and introducing a one-off uplift in pay.

BBC

The EU is not.Europe is beset by structural problems including extensive state ownership, excessive subsidy, overly generous welfare and pension systems and too much regulation.

The Economist

Italy's entrenched political and patronage system, overly generous pensions and job protections, along with an excessive web of competition-killing red tape, are often cited as the primary culprits in a dismal economic record that is seem as the root cause of Italy's troubles.

The New York Times

Italy's entrenched political and patronage system, overly generous pensions and job protections, along with an excessive web of competition-killing red tape, are often cited as the primary culprits in a dismal economic record that is seen as the root cause of Italy's troubles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's character, use "overly generous and" to gently suggest that their giving nature might be excessive or have unintended consequences. For example, "While her intentions were good, her overly generous and trusting nature made her vulnerable to scams."

Common error

In formal writing, "overly generous and" can sound judgmental or critical. Opt for alternatives like "exceptionally generous" or "remarkably generous" to maintain a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly generous and" functions as a modifier, typically describing a noun or situation characterized by excessive generosity. As Ludwig AI reports, it is generally considered correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig further illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overly generous and" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe excessive generosity, often implying a potential negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for neutral contexts like news and general writing. When crafting your content, be mindful of the potential judgmental tone in formal contexts and consider alternatives such as "exceptionally generous" or "remarkably generous". The most frequent and authoritative sources for this phrase are publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excessively generous

Replaces "overly" with "excessively", emphasizing the extreme level of generosity.

Unduly generous

Uses "unduly" to indicate that the generosity is inappropriate or unwarranted.

Inordinately generous

Employs "inordinately" to suggest that the generosity is beyond what is reasonable or expected.

Extravagantly generous

Highlights the lavish and abundant nature of the generosity.

Immoderately generous

Indicates that the generosity lacks moderation and is excessive.

Exceptionally generous

Focuses on the unusual and remarkable quality of the generosity.

Remarkably generous

Emphasizes the noteworthy and striking aspect of the generosity.

Unusually generous

Highlights the atypical and uncommon nature of the generosity.

Over-the-top generous

Uses an informal idiom to express that the generosity is excessive and exaggerated.

Wastefully generous

Suggests that the generosity is not only excessive but also imprudent or wasteful.

FAQs

How can I use "overly generous and" in a sentence?

You can use "overly generous and" to describe someone or something that gives excessively. For example: "The company's benefits package was considered "overly generous and" unsustainable in the long term".

What can I say instead of "overly generous and"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "overly generous and"?

Yes, the phrase "overly generous and" is grammatically correct. It combines the adverb "overly" modifying the adjective "generous" with a conjunction.

When might "overly generous and" be considered a negative trait?

Being "overly generous and" can be seen negatively when it leads to financial strain, exploitation by others, or enabling unproductive behavior.