too beautiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'too beautiful' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The sunset was too beautiful to be captured in a photograph.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For him Desiderio's beauty was too beautiful.

The New York Times - Arts

Too beautiful.

The Guardian

They're just too beautiful".

The New Yorker

Maybe too beautiful.

The New York Times

"It was too beautiful.

The New York Times

My work was too beautiful.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost too beautiful for words.

The New York Times

The morning was too beautiful.

The New York Times

They were too beautiful to miss.

The New York Times

Can a film be too beautiful?

The New Yorker

My mother painted, too – beautiful flowers.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too beautiful" to express that something's aesthetic appeal is so strong it causes a sense of being overwhelmed or even inappropriate for a certain context. For example, "The scene was too beautiful to capture with a simple photograph."

Common error

While "too beautiful" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal writing, like academic papers or business reports. Opt for more nuanced or professional language to describe aesthetic qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too beautiful" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something possesses an excessive degree of beauty. This is evident from Ludwig's examples where it describes various subjects such as landscapes, art, or even data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts

10%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too beautiful" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something exceeding a certain threshold of beauty. According to Ludwig, it often conveys that the beauty is overwhelming, inappropriate, or even unbelievable in a specific context. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it carries a neutral to informal register. While versatile, its use in formal writing should be approached with caution. Consider related phrases like "excessively beautiful" or "stunningly gorgeous" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively beautiful

Replaces "too" with a more formal adverb, emphasizing the extent of beauty.

overly beautiful

Similar to "excessively beautiful", but with a slightly less formal tone.

stunningly gorgeous

Uses stronger adjectives to amplify the level of beauty described.

breathtakingly beautiful

Emphasizes the awe-inspiring quality of the beauty.

incredibly lovely

Uses "lovely" as a softer, more gentle term for beauty.

exquisitely attractive

Highlights the delicate and refined nature of the beauty.

remarkably pretty

A more understated way of describing something as very beautiful.

impossibly beautiful

Suggests that the beauty is so great it seems unreal.

unbearably beautiful

Implies that the beauty is so intense it's almost overwhelming.

beautiful beyond words

Indicates that the beauty is so great it cannot be adequately described.

FAQs

How can I use "too beautiful" in a sentence?

You can use "too beautiful" to describe something whose beauty is overwhelming or unsuitable for a particular situation. For example, "The sunset was "too beautiful" to ignore" or "Her singing was "too beautiful" for such a somber occasion".

What are some alternatives to saying "too beautiful"?

Consider alternatives like "excessively beautiful", "stunningly gorgeous", or "breathtakingly beautiful" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "too beautiful" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something's beauty is so intense it may be overwhelming, distracting, or even paradoxical in a given situation. It is especially common in informal and creative writing.

Is there a negative connotation to using "too beautiful"?

Sometimes, yes. It can imply that something's beauty is a flaw or a problem in a specific context. For example, "The data was "too beautiful" to be true" suggests the data might be manipulated or unrealistic.