too precious for

USAGE SUMMARY

"too precious for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when the object of the sentence has a great importance or sentimental value. For example, you could say, "My grandmother's locket was too precious for me to part with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some things are way too precious for money to buy".

The Guardian

Everything Grandpa owned was too precious for us to touch.

The New Yorker

The Alimentari, with its $9 chocolate bars, might be too precious for everyday cooks.

The New York Times - Food

Perhaps some memories are seen as too precious for human beings to give up.

The Guardian

My mother has a life, and sometimes her time is too precious for words.

The Guardian - Opinion

Marble was expensive and regarded by the Church as too precious for Jews.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Shawn Hubler's "Home Away From Home" (June 5) on too-precious-for-words Mendocino was your most valuable offering in months.

Los Angeles Times

Or if that sounds too precious, go for the cassoncini, pockets of fried dough filled with cheese and Swiss chard ($13).

The New York Times - Food

Sometimes, at least in social contexts, it can be misleading not to say 'yes' or 'no' if some believer asks 'Are you an atheist?' Forthrightness can override a too precious concern for complete accuracy.

SEP

George W. Bush's solution is a policy he announced in August 2001, based on the idea that each and every embryo is a life too precious to sacrifice for any cause.

MIT Technology Review

Your life is far too precious a commodity for that, especially when you can create a plan to get to your happiness sooner rather than later.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too precious for" to convey that something is valuable and should not be wasted or risked on a trivial purpose. This phrase works well when the subject has sentimental or intrinsic worth.

Common error

Avoid using "too precious for" when describing something that is merely expensive or rare. The phrase is most effective when there is an element of emotional or sentimental value involved, or when describing things with an irreplaceable quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too precious for" functions as a subject complement, indicating a quality or state of being for the subject. It describes why something should not be used or treated in a certain way due to its inherent value or importance. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is often used to express that something deserves protection or special handling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too precious for" is a versatile and commonly used expression that conveys a sense of high value and unsuitability for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, general conversation, and literature. The phrase emphasizes sentimental, intrinsic, or irreplaceable value, making it more appropriate than alternatives like "too expensive for" in many situations. Remember to use "too precious for" when you want to convey that something deserves protection and special handling due to its unique worth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too valuable for

Replaces "precious" with "valuable", emphasizing monetary or practical worth instead of sentimental value.

too important for

Substitutes "precious" with "important", highlighting the significance rather than the inherent worth.

too cherished for

Replaces "precious" with "cherished", focusing on the emotional attachment and fondness.

too special for

Uses "special" instead of "precious", indicating uniqueness and irreplaceability.

too delicate for

Emphasizes fragility and the need for careful handling, contrasting with the broader value implied by "precious".

not expendable for

Focuses on the inability to sacrifice something due to its high value, rather than inherent preciousness.

not worth risking for

Highlights the potential danger or loss involved, making the risk outweigh the potential gain.

beyond compare for

Emphasizes the uniqueness of something, implying it's too good to be used for something mundane.

reserved for

Indicates that something is kept for a specific, often important, purpose and not available for general use.

invaluable for

Highlights the immeasurable value of something, rendering it unsuitable for common tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "too precious for" in a sentence?

You can use "too precious for" to describe something of great value, either sentimental or intrinsic, that should not be used for a lesser purpose. For example, "This antique vase is "too precious for" everyday use".

What are some alternatives to "too precious for"?

Alternatives include "too valuable for", "too important for", or "too special for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "too precious for" rather than "too expensive for"?

"Too precious for" implies sentimental or irreplaceable value, whereas "too expensive for" refers to monetary cost. Use "too precious for" when the value is not easily quantifiable in monetary terms.

Is "too precious for" formal or informal language?

The phrase "too precious for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific tone will depend on the overall context of the writing.