setting too much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setting too much" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of establishing excessive limits, expectations, or conditions in various contexts, such as rules, goals, or standards. Example: "I believe we are setting too much pressure on the team to meet unrealistic deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The occasion was the preview, in 1984, of Ms. Westwood's "Clint Eastwood" collection, an assemblage of clothes that, as the curator of her current retrospective at the Victoria and Albert Museum put it, "hankered after the wide-open spaces in western films" There is danger in setting too much store by the kooky narratives designers use to explain what is on their minds.

The New York Times

Setting too much store on life makes people treat death lightly.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't set too much stock in those settings, she said: " 'Privacy' is just a marketing term".

The New York Times

All great empires set too much store by predictions of their imminent demise.

The New Yorker

Relationships are very important to diplomacy, but it's possible to set too much store by them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lord Heseltine also sets too much store by business associations which are often too keen to defend the stagnant firms he is worried about.

The Economist

But in Spain it's not just youngsters feeling like this, parents are fed up too because they say children are being set too much extracurricular work.

The Guardian

(You may want to reheat it slightly in a water bath or microwave if it cools and sets too much prior to serving).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the Basel rules set too much store on the setting aside of capital; at times like these, what banks need is liquidity (which Basel puts less stress on).No doubt central bankers will work at these shortcomings.

The Economist

The Fed's statement on Tuesday declared confidently that the economy "appears poised to resume a stronger pace of expansion going forward".The Fed is right not to set too much store by one or two bad payrolls figures.

The Economist

Here, perhaps, rather than in any historical doubts about the veracity of the Gospels, was the core of his quarrel with Christianity: it set too much value on the weak and sinful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "setting too much", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being set and what the excessiveness refers to. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "setting too much" when you actually mean "doing too much". The former implies establishing a boundary or limit that is excessive, while the latter refers to the volume or intensity of actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting too much" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase, often followed by "store by" or other nouns, indicating an excessive degree of something being established or valued. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "setting too much" effectively conveys the act of establishing excessive limits, expectations, or value on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing across various domains like news, science, and encyclopedias. While "setting too much" is generally understood, remember that context is important in distinguishing it from similar expressions like "doing too much" to avoid confusion and ensure effective communication. Using it correctly can improve the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishing excessively

Similar to "setting too much" but emphasizes the act of establishing rather than the degree.

imposing excessively

Focuses on the act of enforcing something to an extreme degree, rather than the initial setting of it.

placing excessive emphasis

Shifts the focus to the importance given to something, rather than the act of setting it.

over-emphasizing

Highlights the act of emphasizing to an extreme degree, suggesting an imbalance.

overvaluing

Focuses on assigning too high a value, which relates to setting expectations.

imposing unrealistic

Highlights the unrealistic nature of what's being imposed, rather than the act of setting it.

overdoing the establishment

Highlights the act of doing something to excess in the context of establishment.

prioritizing excessively

Emphasizes giving something too much priority, which is a specific type of excessive setting.

demanding excessively

Shifts the focus to making overly high demands rather than setting something.

exaggerating the importance

Focuses on inflating the significance of something, rather than setting limits.

FAQs

How can I use "setting too much" in a sentence?

You can use "setting too much" to indicate excessive expectations or limits, such as: "I believe we are "setting too much" store by these early results."

What's an alternative to "setting too much"?

Alternatives include "placing excessive emphasis" or "establishing excessively" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "setting too much" or "doing too much"?

The choice depends on your meaning. "Setting too much" implies establishing excessive limits or expectations, while "doing too much" refers to performing actions to an excessive degree. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

What does "setting too much store by" mean?

"Setting too much store by" means placing excessive importance or reliance on something. It suggests an overestimation of the value or significance of whatever is being referenced. For example: "Don't "setting too much" store by rumors."