slightly excessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly excessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a bit more than what is necessary or reasonable, often in a mild or understated way. Example: "The amount of salt in the recipe was slightly excessive, making the dish taste too salty for my liking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Was a Pulitzer a slightly excessive response to a fledgling effort?

The New Yorker

Climate The campus is on a hill so you're exposed to slightly excessive amounts of rain and wind.

The Guardian

Slightly excessive bacchanalian activities following the 2014 Meisterschaft were later blamed for Bayern losing their way against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Guardian - Sport

It may sound a slightly excessive drum roll for a lanky cattle vet's son who was playing centre for Wootton Bassett RFC not long ago and struggling to win county recognition.

The Guardian - Sport

There is an occasional tongue-in-cheek quality that never descends into parody, and only the slightly excessive two-hour length (which actually makes it short in relation to this year's Cannes competition) slightly spoils full enjoyment.

The Guardian - Film

The basic idea is that Bertie, played with engaging toothiness, if slightly excessive goofiness, by Stephen Mangan, is giving us his version of events at Totleigh Towers, when he was despatched to steal a cow-shaped silver jug.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Actually, I thought the Hyundai XG300, its generic "near luxury" aura only slightly marred by excessive chrome, looked more like a Lincoln LS.

The New York Times

Genetic drift thus would fix excessive slightly deleterious mutations in synonymous sites, due to Hill-Robertson interference among linked loci.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Such an effect of genetic drift can also produce a pattern of 'fast-Z' evolution, through fixation of excessive slightly deleterious mutations on the Z chromosome.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

We find the effective population size of Z chromosome is significantly reduced than that of autosomes under the neutral expectation, and such a reduction probably results in fixation of excessive slightly deleterious mutations by genetic drift on the Z chromosome, producing a pattern of 'fast-Z' evolution across different bird species.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Restructured bank pay mechanisms could make excessive risk slightly less rewarding, but bankers won't stop their boundless quest for riches.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly excessive" to subtly critique or moderate a statement, avoiding harsh or overly critical language.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly excessive" in highly formal or professional documents where precision and directness are paramount. Opt for more specific and impactful language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly excessive" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun to indicate that something is a little beyond what is considered necessary, appropriate, or reasonable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and functions as an adjectival phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly excessive" is a versatile adjectival modifier used to indicate something is a bit too much without being overly critical. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. It functions to soften criticism or moderate statements. Remember to use it judiciously in formal settings and consider alternatives like "a bit much" or "somewhat redundant" for greater precision. The phrase's frequency is common, and its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey nuance and avoid harsh language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit much

Suggests something is slightly over the top or inappropriate in degree.

kind of overboard

Suggests something is slightly beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

somewhat redundant

Implies a degree of unnecessary repetition or surplus, similar to slightly excessive.

a little extreme

Implies that something is going further than necessary, but only to a small degree.

moderately superfluous

Indicates an excess beyond what is required, but only to a moderate degree.

relatively inordinate

Indicates something is disproportionately large, but in a relative sense.

somewhat immoderate

Suggests a lack of restraint, but only to a certain extent.

somewhat disproportionate

Suggests an imbalance or lack of proportion, but only to a certain extent.

mildly exorbitant

Implies an expense or cost that is a bit too high.

marginally undue

Indicates something is barely inappropriate or unwarranted.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly excessive" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly excessive" to describe something that goes a bit beyond what's necessary or appropriate. For example, "The seasoning in the soup was "slightly excessive", making it a bit too salty."

What are some alternatives to "slightly excessive"?

Alternatives to "slightly excessive" include "a bit much", "somewhat redundant", or "kind of overboard", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly excessive" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "slightly excessive" may be too informal for highly formal contexts. Consider using more precise language to convey your meaning in such cases.

What's the difference between "slightly excessive" and "very excessive"?

"Slightly excessive" indicates a minor degree of excess, while "very excessive" implies a much larger, more noticeable degree. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.