somewhat too large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat too large" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is larger than desired or appropriate, but not excessively so. Example: "The shirt I ordered is somewhat too large, making it a bit loose around the shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, the FWHM broadening of these spectra (0.55, 0.53, and 0.48 eV) is somewhat too large relative to the experimental ones.

ChemPhysChem

As mentioned above, the active-site cavity of the WT is somewhat too large for the cyclopentene oxide substrate and can therefore accommodate attacks at C1 and C2 equally well because the substrate can be displaced in one direction or the other with the same energetic penalty.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

The next logical step was to impose equality of factor covariances for both groups, i.e. metric invariance (Model PD4), which provided an acceptable model with a chi-square of 1450 and 634 df or a gain of 20 df, an RMSEA of 0.072, a CFI of 0.92, a TLI of 0.92 and a somewhat too large St.RMR.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although the calculated rate of iron oxidation is somewhat too low to explain the large size of the deposits, this rate could be accelerated by auto-catalytic reactions and/or the deposition of mixed valence compounds, as well as by microbial mediation.

Geochemical Transactions

On the other hand, the optimal αs seem to vary somewhat, with a value of 0.3 not being too large for most data sets and most percentages of retrieved compounds (see Table 14).

Journal of Cheminformatics

The latest cohort estimates of 10-year survival available at the time of their diagnosis would again have been somewhat too pessimistic, although the differences were not as large as for the other diagnostic groups.

British Journal of Cancer

This format is somewhat regrettable because on the one hand the book is clearly too large to be stored in the pocket but on the other hand it is not exhaustive either.

Critical Care

It is found that the analytical model gives an attenuation that is too large at short wavelengths but is usable for wavelengths down to somewhat smaller than the length of the contact patch.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

"It is somewhat too sensational".

The Economist

We bought too large.

The New Yorker

"It just felt too large".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat too large", ensure the context clearly indicates what the item is being compared to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity about the expected or desired size.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat too large" when the item is significantly oversized. This phrase indicates a moderate excess, so choose stronger language if the size difference is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat too large" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "large". It describes the degree to which something exceeds the desired size. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat too large" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that something is slightly bigger than desired or appropriate. As Ludwig AI notes, it's acceptable for general use. The phrase appears across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the item being compared to. Related alternatives include "a bit oversized" or "moderately too big". While the phrase enjoys fairly widespread usage, remember to avoid overstating the degree of largeness, and, of course, always consider the specific context when selecting the most appropriate wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit oversized

Indicates a slight increase in size beyond what is needed or expected.

slightly excessive in size

Highlights a moderate degree of excessiveness in dimension.

moderately too big

Directly states that the size is greater than desired to a moderate extent.

a little on the large side

Suggests that the item is marginally bigger than the ideal or average size.

somewhat outsized

Implies the size exceeds normal or expected proportions to some degree.

marginally too expansive

Conveys that the extent or scope is slightly greater than required.

relatively bulky

Focuses on the substantial nature of the size in comparison to other objects.

approaching oversized

Indicates that the size is close to being considered excessively large.

excessive to a degree

Highlights that excessiveness is present, although not to a significant extent.

a shade too ample

Suggests there is a slight surplus in the size, not critically oversized but still noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat too large" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat too large" to describe something that is bigger than desired or appropriate, but not excessively so. For example: "The shirt I ordered is "somewhat too large", making it a bit loose around the shoulders."

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat too large"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit oversized", "slightly excessive in size", or "moderately too big" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little too large" instead of "somewhat too large"?

Yes, "a little too large" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating that something is slightly larger than desired. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What is the nuance between "somewhat large" and "somewhat too large"?

"Somewhat large" simply indicates that something is moderately big, without necessarily implying that it's undesirable. "Somewhat too large", on the other hand, specifically suggests that the size is bigger than what is needed or ideal in a given situation.