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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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overused

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"overused" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is used too often or more than it should be. For example: "I'm tired of hearing the same trope in every action movie; it's become overly overused!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Lifestyle

Politics

Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins; less means smaller in quantity, eg less money Ffestiniog fiance male, fiancee female; but note divorcee is both male and female Fianna Fáil Irish political party fiasco like debacle and farce, overused in news stories: who says it's a fiasco?

News & Media

The Guardian

From a reader: "Please can you rein in the many writers who insist on dropping the word famously into their copy... as in famously overused, famously redundant or famously not really famous at all".

News & Media

The Guardian

Khan, who was a key ally of Ed Miliband, told the Guardian that some in the party had "rose-tinted glasses" about the Blair era and added: "A word I think you'll hear overused in the leadership contest is 'aspiration'aspiration

News & Media

The Guardian

That is a word, often overused by cinema critics, to describe work that is dreamy, elliptical and apparently disconnected from real life.

This is a recurring device in Denis's films and one which, when overused, can frustrate the viewer and it is probably why, despite her star-studded cast, Denis has yet to cross over into the middle-brow middle ground occupied by most ordinary French cinema-goers.

The former shadow justice secretary said the word "aspiration" was being overused in the party's leadership contest and some were looking back too favourably on the past.

News & Media

The Guardian

The word "boho" is overused.

But apology, like anything else, declines in value if overused, becoming just a device to mitigate the consequences of incompetence.

News & Media

The Economist

Sometimes drugs are overused: one study in Britain showed that two-thirds of prescriptions for so-called SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac, were for "mild" depression, even though there is no good evidence that the drugs work in these cases.

News & Media

The Economist

Over time, stocks of the common resource will dwindle.But in 40 years of studying how common resources from lobster fisheries in Maine to irrigation systems in Nepal are actually managed by communities, Ms Ostrom found that people often devise rather sophisticated systems of governance to ensure that these resources are not overused.

News & Media

The Economist

European politicians may yet find themselves in a similar bind: having to explain to the sturdy burghers of Hamburg why it is in their interests to bail out braying City boys in London, or Latvians who overused their credit cards.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a concept as "overused", provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "overused" without explaining why or what the negative consequences are. Provide context and specific reasons for your assessment.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "overused" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they have been used too much or too often. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing words, phrases, ideas, and even resources that have lost their impact or value due to excessive use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Film

8%

Lifestyle

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "overused" effectively describes something that has lost its impact through excessive use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used term. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, and carries a neutral formality. When employing "overused", it is important to provide specific examples, and consider synonyms like "hackneyed", "clichéd", or "trite" for variety. Remember to clearly articulate why something is deemed "overused" to avoid vagueness and enhance the clarity of your writing.

FAQs

How can I use "overused" in a sentence?

You can use "overused" to describe anything that has lost its impact or become trite due to excessive use, for example: "That metaphor is "overused" in modern literature."

What are some synonyms for "overused"?

Alternatives to "overused" include "hackneyed", "clichéd", and "trite", each carrying a similar connotation of staleness due to overuse.

Is it always negative to describe something as "overused"?

Yes, describing something as "overused" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that it has become ineffective, unoriginal, or boring due to excessive repetition.

What makes a word or phrase become "overused"?

A word or phrase becomes "overused" when it is used so frequently that it loses its original impact, becomes predictable, and no longer effectively conveys its intended meaning.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: