too great

USAGE SUMMARY

'too great' is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is used to describe an amount or degree that is greater than is appropriate or desirable. For example, "The workload was too great to finish by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It doesn't feel too great.

The New York Times - Sports

"The risks are too great.

The New York Times

The loss is too great.

The New York Times

"The pain is too great".

The New York Times

Too great for what?

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe too great a job.

The New York Times

The fear was too great.

The Guardian - Sport

"But pressures were too great.

The New York Times

The risk was too great.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pressure is too great".

The Guardian

The price is too great.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too great", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being exceeded. For instance, specify whether it is risk, cost, or pressure that is "too great".

Common error

Avoid using "too great" without specifying what aspect is excessive. Saying 'the challenge is too great' lacks clarity. Instead, specify 'the challenge is too great for our current resources'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too great" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, intensifying a noun to indicate that it exceeds a certain acceptable or desirable level. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, from describing risks to emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too great" is a versatile adjectival modifier used to express that something exceeds an acceptable or desirable limit. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically sound and widespread, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "excessive" or "unreasonable" exist, "too great" offers a direct and readily understood way to convey that something is beyond what is tolerable or manageable. It's important to use the phrase with specificity to ensure clarity about what aspect is being deemed excessive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond acceptable limits

Directly states that something has surpassed the boundaries of what is permissible or tolerable.

excessive

This single word indicates a quantity or degree that is more than necessary, normal, or desirable.

inordinate

Implies that something is unusually or disproportionately large.

immoderate

Suggests a lack of restraint or moderation.

unreasonable

Suggests that something is not fair or sensible because it is too extreme.

overwhelming

Describes something that is so strong or intense that it is difficult to cope with.

exorbitant

Often used in the context of prices or demands, suggesting they are unreasonably high.

out of proportion

Indicates that something is not balanced or appropriately sized in relation to something else.

unwarranted

Implies that something is not justified or deserved, often in the context of attention or concern.

over the top

Implies that something is exaggerated or inappropriate in its intensity or presentation.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "too great" in a sentence?

You can use "too great" to describe something exceeding a limit or expectation. For example, "The risk was "too great" to proceed with the experiment".

What are some alternatives to saying "too great"?

Alternatives include "excessive", "beyond acceptable limits", or "unreasonable", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "too great of a risk"?

While not incorrect, it's often more concise and clearer to say "too great a risk". Both forms are acceptable, but the latter is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "too great" and "very large"?

"Too great" implies exceeding a desirable or acceptable limit, while "very large" simply indicates a significant size or amount without necessarily implying it's undesirable. Therefore, "The quantity was "very large"" just specifies a high amount, and "The quantity was "too great"" specifies there was a quantity superior than the acceptance level.