that was superfluous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was superfluous" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is unnecessary or excessive in a given context. For example, "The extra details in the report were that was superfluous." Alternative expressions include "that was unnecessary" and "that was excessive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(44) doesn't allow a reading on which John got a hair remover that was superfluous and Sarah a remover of superfluous hair.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He takes apart her monster backpack, and pulls out everything that's superfluous.

The Guardian - Film

Whether you're facing a certain way, whether Regan's eyes are open or closed, there's nothing that's superfluous".

The New York Times

But those suing to stop the prison say that the meager benefits it would bring to Delano's ailing economy are no reason to build an institution that is superfluous.

The New York Times

can mean the same as 'hair remover that is superfluous' or 'remover of hair that is superfluous'.

SEP

There are movies where there isn't a single line of dialog that's superfluous, and they really lose their spark.

Huffington Post

It is a decadent device that is superfluous in almost every detail; an emblem of the pure excess that has turned our modern society's beating heart into a putrid mess of rotting flesh.

Vice

That standard meant the prosecution in the Chef case had to prove Teamsters were threatening the staff to "exact payments for wages for services that were superfluous, or unnecessary," as Judge Woodlock put it.

Vice

Fresh pancreatectomy samples that were superfluous to diagnostic needs were obtained from the University Health Network Tumour Tissue Bank according to institutional human ethical guidelines.

BMC Cancer

Genome reduction occurs in symbiotic bacterial genomes as a result of the loss of genes that are superfluous or beneficial but not essential.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Fresh pancreatic cancer samples that were superfluous to diagnostic needs were obtained from the University Health Network Tumour Tissue Bank according to institutional human ethical guidelines.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "that was superfluous" is grammatically sound, consider your audience. In less formal contexts, alternatives like "that was unnecessary" might be more readily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "superfluous" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "unnecessary", "redundant", or "inessential" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was superfluous" functions as a comment or judgment on a prior action, statement, or element, labeling it as unnecessary or excessive. It serves to highlight the redundancy or lack of essentiality of something, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was superfluous" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote something unnecessary or redundant. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable. While its frequency is relatively low (rare), it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, while grammatically sound, consider your audience because, in less formal contexts, more common alternatives like "that was unnecessary" might be more readily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was unnecessary

Changes the adjective to a more common synonym, directly implying a lack of necessity.

that was redundant

Replaces "superfluous" with "redundant", focusing on the aspect of being repetitive or already present.

that was inessential

Substitutes with "inessential", highlighting the non-critical nature of something.

that was unneeded

Uses the word "unneeded", emphasizing that there was no requirement for something.

that was gratuitous

Replaces with "gratuitous", suggesting that something was excessive and unwarranted.

that was excess baggage

Employs a metaphorical expression indicating something burdensome and unnecessary.

that was a waste

Shifts the focus to the idea of something being wasted or not contributing value.

that was beside the point

Indicates that something was irrelevant or not pertinent to the main issue.

that was icing on the cake

Uses an idiom to suggest something was an extra that wasn't required.

that was gilding the lily

Uses an idiom indicating an attempt to improve something already beautiful, thus making it excessive.

FAQs

What does "that was superfluous" mean?

The phrase "that was superfluous" means that something was unnecessary, excessive, or not required in a particular situation. It implies that whatever is being referred to didn't add any value or was redundant.

What can I say instead of "that was superfluous"?

You can use alternatives like "that was unnecessary", "that was redundant", or "that was inessential" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "that was superfluous" or "that was unnecessary"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "that was unnecessary" is more common and generally easier to understand. "That was superfluous" is more formal and might be appropriate in certain contexts, but can sound pretentious or overly academic in everyday conversation.

How can I use "that was superfluous" in a sentence?

You can use "that was superfluous" to describe something that was not needed or added nothing of value. For example, "The extra details in the report were "that was superfluous"" or "Adding another layer of security seemed "that was superfluous" given the existing measures".