showing too much leniency toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "showing too much leniency toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is being overly forgiving or permissive, often in a critical context. Example: "The teacher was criticized for showing too much leniency toward students who consistently failed to complete their assignments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public prosecutors in France are concerned that courts show too much leniency toward suspected white-collar criminals like Mr. Kerviel when their cases eventually come to trial, Mr. Bonifassi said, so prosecutors frequently seek to jail suspects in the pretrial phase.

The New York Times

Gaius also put eminent nonsenators (probably defined by wealth, but perhaps limited to the equites, or equestrian class) in charge of the quaestio repetundarum, whose senatorial members had shown too much leniency to their colleagues, and he imposed severe penalties on senators convicted by that court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Avoid showing too much skin.

WikiHow

"They may rotate their coverages toward Amani although they haven't shown too much of that tendency in the past," Giants quarterback Kerry Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

The bikini shows too much.

The Guardian

The seams show too much.

The New York Times - Books

"We don't want to show too much too soon".

The New York Times

We couldn't show too much interest".

The New York Times - Sports

He shows too much of himself, nevertheless.

The Guardian - Arts

Don't show too much, don't give too much.

Huffington Post

Don't show too much interest.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing perceived unfairness, specify the consequences of showing "too much leniency toward" someone to emphasize the impact of the lenient treatment.

Common error

Avoid hyperbolic language when discussing "showing too much leniency toward" someone. A measured tone will make your argument more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showing too much leniency toward" functions as a critical observation, highlighting a perceived imbalance in the application of rules or consequences. It implies a subjective judgment that a certain level of forgiveness or permissiveness is excessive or inappropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "showing too much leniency toward" serves to express a critical perspective on perceived excessive forgiveness or permissiveness. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its effectiveness hinges on the context and the specific implications of the lenient treatment. Alternatives such as "being excessively lenient with" or "demonstrating undue leniency towards" can provide nuanced variations. Its usage spans from neutral reporting to professional critiques, reflecting its applicability in analyzing fairness and consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being excessively lenient with

This alternative replaces "showing too much leniency toward" with a more direct and concise phrasing.

demonstrating undue leniency towards

The word "undue" emphasizes the inappropriateness of the leniency, adding a stronger critical tone.

exercising excessive leniency with

This alternative uses "exercising" to highlight the active granting of leniency, suggesting a deliberate choice.

granting excessive clemency to

"Clemency" implies a formal pardon or reduction of punishment, making it suitable for legal or official contexts.

displaying unwarranted leniency towards

"Unwarranted" indicates that the leniency is not justified or deserved, adding a layer of disapproval.

being overly permissive with

This option shifts the focus to the act of being permissive, suggesting a general attitude of allowing too much.

indulging too much

This alternative suggests a pampering or spoiling effect, implying that the subject is being treated with excessive favor.

taking it easy on

This is a more informal way of saying someone is not enforcing rules strictly or is being too forgiving.

giving a free pass to

This idiom implies that someone is excused from consequences or responsibilities that they should otherwise face.

letting off the hook

A colloquial expression meaning to release someone from a difficult situation or punishment.

FAQs

How can I use "showing too much leniency toward" in a sentence?

You can use "showing too much leniency toward" to express disapproval of someone being overly forgiving or permissive. For instance, "The judge was criticized for showing too much leniency toward first-time offenders".

What are some alternatives to "showing too much leniency toward"?

Alternatives include "being excessively lenient with", "demonstrating undue leniency towards", or "exercising excessive leniency with".

Is it more appropriate to say "leniency to" or "leniency toward"?

"Leniency toward" is generally preferred and more common when referring to the recipient of the leniency. While "leniency to" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What's the difference between "leniency" and "mercy"?

"Leniency" implies a relaxation of strictness or severity in punishment, while "mercy" suggests compassion or forgiveness, often in situations where punishment is deserved. Showing leniency often involves a conscious decision to be less harsh, while mercy arises from a compassionate feeling.