seen as gratuitous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seen as gratuitous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is perceived as unnecessary or unwarranted, often in a critical context. Example: "The violence in the film was often seen as gratuitous, detracting from the overall message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I wanted to make sure it wasn't seen as gratuitous.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of Hollande's manifesto promises was to begin registering France's unmonitored police ID checks against non-white people, known as stop and frisk, which so often target black or north African young men just for walking down the street and were seen as gratuitous.

The Guardian

Incidentally, one of Garner's columns was recently ruled in breach by Press Council, who concluded "despite the writer's protestations to the contrary, his approach can only be seen as gratuitous racism".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some newspapers have also remarked on what they see as gratuitous violence against women.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But with the Russian media already claiming that Latvia is sliding towards fascism, it is easy to see why the Baltic states are twitchy about their reputation, and resentful of what they see as gratuitous carelessness by influential outsiders.

The Economist

This was a concern for even such eminent Buddhist thinkers as Guifeng Zongmi (780 841), a lineage holder in both the Huayan School and the Heze Chan lineage, who argued that if any kind of speech or action can be the functioning of Buddha-nature, then what is to stop hatred and gratuitous violence from being seen as "liberating" (Xu zangjing, Vol. 110.435d)?

SEP

The ability to shrug off the mean crack, the sexist joke, the gratuitous jab at the weak is, in some quarters, seen as a form of strength, of "being flexible," of "not taking shit serious".

The New Yorker

It's been remade for modern systems, and could be seen as a forerunner of Dennaton Games' Drive-inspired Hotline Miami--colorful and subversive alongside the gratuitous violence.

Vice

It's been remade for modern systems, and could be seen as a forerunner of Dennaton Games' Drive-inspired Hotline Miami - colourful and subversive alongside the gratuitous violence.

Vice

Although Volpe hadn't stood in the way of Gelb's appointment, he subsequently chafed under what he saw as Gelb's gratuitous public criticisms of his tenure.

The New Yorker

When I called to say that I would be flying up to see him, my father made the expected but unexpectedly feeble attempt to dismiss my urgency as baseless and my visit as gratuitous, yet, as soon as I walk into the bedroom, I can tell he is happy to have me there.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seen as gratuitous" to critically assess elements that appear unnecessary or excessive within a narrative, argument, or action. This suggests the element does not add value and may even detract from the overall impact.

Common error

Avoid using "seen as gratuitous" in situations where the perceived excess is actually desired or beneficial. This phrase carries a negative connotation, implying that the excess is unwelcome or detracts from the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seen as gratuitous" functions as a subjective assessment, describing how an action, object, or idea is perceived by others. It often follows a noun and links it to the adjective 'gratuitous,' indicating a judgment about its excessiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something unnecessary or unwarranted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seen as gratuitous" serves as a critical evaluation, often used in News & Media and Science contexts to denote something perceived as unnecessary, excessive, or unwarranted. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable, but should be applied thoughtfully to avoid misrepresenting the perceived benefit of excess. Consider alternatives such as "perceived as unnecessary" or "regarded as unwarranted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Its appropriateness for any purpose should be carefully evaluated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken as gratuitous

This is an almost perfect synonym, varying only in the verb used.

perceived as unnecessary

Focuses on the lack of necessity, rather than excessiveness.

regarded as unwarranted

Emphasizes the lack of justification for something.

construed as unwarranted

Similar to 'regarded as unwarranted', but with a slightly more formal tone.

considered excessive

Highlights the abundance or surplus of something.

viewed as superfluous

Implies that something is beyond what is required or needed.

believed to be excessive

Highlights the subjective belief that something is more than necessary.

deemed uncalled for

Stresses that something was inappropriate or not justifiable in the situation.

interpreted as needless

Highlights the lack of a genuine requirement or reason.

understood as pointless

Focuses on the lack of purpose or value attributed to something.

FAQs

How can I use "seen as gratuitous" in a sentence?

You can use "seen as gratuitous" to describe something that is perceived as unnecessary or unwarranted. For example: "The violence in the movie was "seen as gratuitous", detracting from the overall message."

What's a more formal alternative to "seen as gratuitous"?

Formal alternatives to "seen as gratuitous" include "regarded as unwarranted", "deemed unnecessary", or "considered superfluous". These options often suit professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say 'viewed as gratuitous' instead of "seen as gratuitous"?

Yes, "viewed as gratuitous" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "seen as gratuitous". Both phrases convey the same meaning, indicating something perceived as unnecessary or excessive.

What's the difference between "seen as gratuitous" and "considered excessive"?

"Seen as gratuitous" often implies that something is not only excessive but also unnecessary or inappropriate in the given context. "Considered excessive" simply indicates that something is more than what is necessary or usual, without necessarily implying that it is unwelcome.