too much trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too much trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something requires too much effort or is impractical. For example: "Making the cake from scratch would be too much trouble, so let's just buy one already made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Too much trouble!

The New Yorker

It was too much trouble.

The New Yorker

It's too much trouble.

The Guardian - Film

Nothing was too much trouble.

The Guardian

Too much trouble, you say?

The New York Times

Well, not too much trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

"They're too much trouble," he explained.

The New York Times

If it ain't too much trouble.

The New Yorker

Nothing is too much trouble for them.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's too much trouble for the girls".

The New York Times

Nothing is too much trouble.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too much trouble" to express that the effort required outweighs the potential benefit. It's appropriate when discussing tasks, decisions, or situations that you deem not worth pursuing due to the amount of effort involved.

Common error

While widely understood, overuse of "too much trouble" in formal or professional writing may sound dismissive. Consider alternatives like "unduly burdensome" or "impractical" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too much trouble" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or situation as requiring excessive effort or being overly problematic. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too much trouble" is a common and acceptable phrase used to express that something requires an excessive amount of effort or is impractical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and general conversation. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "excessive effort" or "undue burden" for similar meanings. Overall, "too much trouble" is a valuable phrase to convey inconvenience or disinclination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more trouble than it's worth

Directly compares the trouble with the potential reward.

excessive effort

Focuses on the amount of effort required.

undue burden

Highlights the weight or difficulty imposed.

inordinate hassle

Emphasizes the inconvenience and annoyance involved.

excessive bother

Focuses on the trouble and disturbance caused.

more than it's worth

Indicates that the benefit doesn't justify the effort.

not worth the effort

Directly states that the task isn't worth pursuing.

too inconvenient

Highlights the lack of convenience.

impractical

Focuses on the lack of feasibility.

unnecessarily complicated

Highlights the unnecessary complexity involved.

FAQs

What does "too much trouble" mean?

The phrase "too much trouble" means that something requires an excessive amount of effort, time, or difficulty, making it not worthwhile or desirable. It implies that the inconvenience outweighs the potential benefits.

What can I say instead of "too much trouble"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive effort", "undue burden", or "impractical" depending on the context.

How to use "too much trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "too much trouble" in a sentence like this: "Cleaning the entire house is just too much trouble, so I'll focus on the living room."

Is it correct to say "too much of a trouble"?

While understandable, "too much trouble" is more common and idiomatic. Saying "too much of a trouble" is grammatically correct, but it may sound less natural than simply using "too much trouble".