too extensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too extensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is larger than it should be or more complex than it needs to be. For example, "The manual contained too much information, and was too extensive for a beginner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The bleeding is too extensive.

The New York Times

"It's just too extensive," Ron Allen said later.

The New Yorker

'You have maybe six months.' " Surgery was not recommended because the liver tumors were too extensive.

The New York Times - Health

Are the differences between baseball and soccer too extensive for the model to be transferable?

The New York Times

Even some Iraqi lawmakers admit that the free-for-all has become too extensive to stop easily.

The New York Times

My determination, after a rather too extensive time spent perusing the text for words like "smell" and "yummy"?

The New Yorker

Like public goods, they are not "excludable": the common resource is too extensive to keep people out very easily.

The Economist

He writes that a middle ground must be struck, in which regulation is effective and extensive, but not too extensive.

The Economist

Consequently, the range of matters worth discussing became too extensive for oral transmission and for the solitary speaker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The scientific field is too extensive and requires further investigation.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

This threshold was selected because it produced a comprehensive, though not too extensive, list of sequences.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing limitations or drawbacks, use "too extensive" to clearly indicate that something exceeds acceptable or manageable boundaries. For example, "The research scope was "too extensive" for the available resources".

Common error

While "too extensive" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "too much" or "too long" to maintain a natural tone. For instance, instead of saying, "The explanation was "too extensive"," consider "The explanation was too long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too extensive" functions as an adverbial modifier of an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it qualifies adjectives describing scope, detail, or duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too extensive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is excessive in scope, size, or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While versatile, it finds frequent use in scientific and news contexts. When writing, it's best to consider the formality of your context when using this phrase to ensure that it fits your intended tone. If you wish to add variety, you can consider using synonyms like "excessively large" or "overly comprehensive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively large

Emphasizes the size or quantity being beyond what is necessary or desirable.

overly comprehensive

Highlights that something includes more details or elements than required, potentially making it cumbersome.

unnecessarily detailed

Focuses on the level of detail being beyond what is needed, suggesting redundancy or irrelevance.

unduly prolonged

Indicates that something has lasted for an unreasonable or excessive amount of time.

inordinately lengthy

Similar to "unduly prolonged", but specifically refers to the length or duration of something.

disproportionately broad

Suggests an imbalance in scope or coverage, with some areas receiving excessive attention.

immoderately vast

Conveys an extreme sense of scale or scope, implying that something is excessively large and difficult to manage.

over the top

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is excessive or extravagant.

went overboard

Suggests someone did more than necessary on an activity or project.

exaggerated

Something is represented as greater than is actually the case

FAQs

What does "too extensive" mean?

The phrase "too extensive" means something is excessive, overly broad, or exceeds reasonable limits. It implies that the scope, scale, or duration of something is beyond what is necessary or manageable.

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

"Too extensive" is suitable in formal and semi-formal writing when you need to convey that something's scope, size, or duration is excessive. It's commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What are some synonyms for "too extensive"?

Alternatives to "too extensive" include "excessively large", "overly comprehensive", "unnecessarily detailed", or "unduly prolonged depending on the context".

How can I avoid overusing the phrase "too extensive"?

To avoid repetition, vary your language by using synonyms like "excessively large" or "overly comprehensive". Rephrasing sentences can also help. For example, instead of "The report was "too extensive"," try "The report contained more information than needed".