too high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too high" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe a measurement or quantity that is greater than it should be or is desired. Example: The price for this item is way too high.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Deficit too high?

The New York Times

They're too high.

The New York Times

Perhaps too high.

Independent

They're up too high.

The New York Times

"Is too high.

The New York Times

… Is that too high?

The New Yorker

"The dreams were too high".

The New York Times

The wieght is too high.

The New Yorker

"The costs are too high".

The New York Times

Housing benefit bill too high?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The numbers are too high".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too high" to describe prices, consider adding context about what makes it excessive (e.g., "The price is "too high" for the quality offered").

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "too high" without explaining why; be specific about the aspect that exceeds the acceptable limit, such as costs, expectations, or risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too high" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something exceeds a certain limit or standard. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe prices, expectations, and physical heights, among other things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "too high" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate that something exceeds an acceptable limit. Ludwig's analysis, based on numerous examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to provide context when using it, specifying the aspect that's considered excessive. Alternatives like "excessively elevated" or "prohibitively costly" may offer more precision depending on the context. Common usage is in News & Media, as well as Wiki pages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively elevated

Replaces "high" with "elevated" and adds "excessively" for emphasis.

unacceptably expensive

Focuses on the price being beyond what is acceptable.

unreasonably elevated

Indicates a lack of justification for the high level.

prohibitively costly

Highlights that the cost prevents something from being attainable.

exorbitantly priced

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the pricing.

overly optimistic

Applies to expectations that are unrealistically high.

unduly inflated

Suggests an artificial increase beyond a reasonable level.

inordinately steep

Highlights a sharp and excessive increase.

steeply-priced

Highlights an expensive price

considerably above

Emphasizes the margin by which something exceeds a benchmark.

FAQs

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

You can use "too high" to describe something that exceeds a desired or acceptable level, such as "The rent is "too high" for my budget" or "Expectations for the project are "too high"".

What phrases can I use instead of "too high"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "excessively elevated", "unacceptably expensive", or "overly optimistic".

Is it better to say "very high" or "too high"?

"Very high" simply indicates a high level, while "too high" implies that the level is excessive or undesirable. The choice depends on whether you want to express a negative judgment about the level.

When is it appropriate to use "too high" in formal writing?

Using "too high" is acceptable in formal writing when you need to clearly and directly state that something exceeds a reasonable or acceptable limit. However, consider using more precise language if possible, such as "excessive" or "prohibitive".