perhaps excessively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps excessively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something may be more than what is necessary or appropriate, often in a tentative or uncertain manner. Example: "The report was perhaps excessively detailed, making it difficult for the audience to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Perhaps excessively so.

The Guardian - Business

Filmmakers worry, perhaps excessively, about the loss of audience sympathy".

The Guardian - Books

It's a handsome-looking show, though it's studiously, perhaps excessively, grim.

The New Yorker

He delights particularly, and perhaps excessively, in inventing creation stories about the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey".

The New York Times - Books

Affable, harmonious, playful and benign, Klee's art was also – perhaps excessively – open.

The Guardian - Arts

His wife has long since vanished, leaving their daughter, Toyo (grown into Lupe Vélez), in Tiger's perhaps excessively loving care.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There is a tendency by outside observers "to perhaps be excessively pessimistic," he said.

The New York Times

One would imagine that residents of that state would consider themselves comfortably well endowed with doctors – perhaps even excessively endowed.

The New York Times

In light of the markets' run-up in the last year, many financial advisers say their clients have become increasingly bullish, perhaps even excessively so.

The New York Times

It was a desperate effort to keep a steady course, engineers said, and perhaps an excessively stressful experience for the aging airframe.

The New York Times

True [8], this should keep the Fed in the easing game for a while, and that in turn could perhaps calm excessively skittish equity markets (they're worried the Fed will begin to "taper" its bond buying program).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps excessively" when you want to suggest something might be more than necessary, but you are not entirely sure or want to express it gently. It adds a layer of nuance and avoids being overly critical.

Common error

Avoid using "perhaps excessively" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your tone sound hesitant or indecisive, weakening your overall argument. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain a confident and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps excessively" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying adjectives or adverbs to express a degree of uncertainty about the extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to soften a statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perhaps excessively" is a grammatically correct adverbial modifier used to express a degree of uncertainty about the extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms it functions to soften statements. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing. When employing this phrase, consider its nuanced meaning – that something might be more than needed, without asserting it definitively. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain a confident writing style, and consider using synonyms like "possibly too much" or "maybe overly" for variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite possibly excessively

Adds emphasis to the possibility of something being excessive.

possibly too much

Emphasizes the possibility of exceeding a limit or boundary.

maybe overly

Highlights the potential for something to be excessive in degree.

potentially overly

Highlights the potential for something to be more than needed.

arguably inordinately

Suggests there is a valid argument that something is beyond reasonable limits.

conceivably unduly

Implies something might be inappropriately or unjustifiably excessive.

potentially immoderately

Focuses on the potential for a lack of moderation or restraint.

ostensibly exorbitantly

Indicates something is excessive on the surface but may have underlying reasons.

seemingly disproportionately

Highlights the appearance of an imbalance or lack of proportion.

in all likelihood extremely

Emphasizes a high probability of something being extreme.

FAQs

How can I use "perhaps excessively" in a sentence?

You can use "perhaps excessively" to express that something might be more than necessary or appropriate. For example, "The report was perhaps excessively detailed, making it difficult for the audience to grasp the main points."

What are some alternatives to "perhaps excessively"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly too much", "maybe overly", or "arguably inordinately" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "perhaps excessively"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Perhaps" is an adverb that modifies "excessively", another adverb, creating a grammatically sound adverbial phrase.

What's the difference between "perhaps excessively" and "definitely excessively"?

"Perhaps excessively" implies a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness, while "definitely excessively" indicates a firm conviction that something is beyond what is necessary. The choice depends on the level of certainty you want to convey.