Excessively: A Primary English Word Profile for Degree, Threshold and Judgement
Quick Read: Excessively is an adverb meaning beyond a reasonable, necessary, normal or acceptable degree. It does more than mean “very”. The word usually signals that a threshold has been crossed.
RFE: help a Primary learner distinguish high degree from too much, choose the correct intensifier from context, and use excessively only when the sentence provides a reason the amount, frequency or intensity is beyond an appropriate limit. This is an eduKate enrichment word profile, not an official MOE or SEAB prescribed list or a guarantee of examination distinction.
“Very” and “Excessively” Are Not the Same
| Expression | What it tells us | Example |
|---|---|---|
| very loud | high degree | The music was very loud. |
| extremely loud | very high degree | The alarm was extremely loud. |
| too loud | above what the situation allows or needs | The television was too loud for the sleeping baby. |
| excessively loud | unreasonably or unnecessarily loud | The announcement was excessively loud for the small room. |
The word therefore contains evaluation. A writer should be able to answer: Excessive compared with what standard, need, limit or consequence?
Grammar and Collocation
- excessive — adjective: excessive noise, excessive force, excessive spending;
- excessively — adverb: excessively loud, spend excessively, react excessively;
- excess — noun/adjective in other structures: an excess of sugar; excess baggage.
Context Test
- A pupil studies for three focused hours because a major examination is near. Is that automatically excessive? No. The context has not shown that a reasonable limit was crossed.
- A pupil studies until 4 a.m. every night, is unable to stay awake in class and continues despite the consequences. Now excessively may be justified because the sentence supplies evidence of an unhealthy or unreasonable degree.
- A hall is noisy during a celebration. Is the noise excessive? Only if the context establishes a relevant threshold or consequence.
Retrieval and Writing Transfer
Create four sentences using very, extremely, too and excessively. Keep the noun or adjective similar, but change the evidence so each intensifier is earned. Several days later, repeat with new contexts without looking at the table.
The word “excessively” is an adverb that means to an extreme degree, in a way that goes beyond what is necessary, normal, or reasonable.
Full Top 100 list can be found here.
Let’s learn another word
Example: He was sweating excessively after running for just five minutes.
Here are ten common uses of the word “excessively”:
- She spent excessively on clothes and accessories she didn’t really need.
- The noise from the construction site was excessively loud, disturbing the neighbors.
- The teacher criticized the student excessively for a minor mistake.
- He ate excessively at the party and ended up getting sick.
- The athlete trained excessively to prepare for the competition.
- The company charged excessively high prices for their products.
- The car was excessively dirty and needed a deep cleaning.
- The child was punished excessively for a small misbehavior.
- The boss worked his employees excessively, expecting them to work long hours without proper compensation.
- The politician was criticized for excessively partisan rhetoric, refusing to work with members of the opposite party.
Excessively describes a degree that goes beyond what is reasonable, necessary, normal or appropriate in the context. It therefore usually carries a negative or cautionary judgement. A writer should not use it merely as a stronger version of very.
One common use of “excessively” is to describe behaviors that are considered negative or undesirable. For example, someone might be said to eat excessively if they consume more food than is healthy, or to spend excessively if they buy more than they can afford. In these contexts, “excessively” is often used to indicate disapproval or criticism.
A behaviour can be admirable in one respect yet still become excessive if its amount or intensity crosses an appropriate limit. For example, studying diligently is positive, but the phrase studying excessively implies that the amount has become unreasonable or harmful in context. If the writer simply means strong commitment, diligently, intensively or for many hours may be more precise.
In addition, “excessively” can be used to describe physical conditions or states. For example, someone might be sweating excessively if they are perspiring more than is normal or necessary. Similarly, someone might be drinking excessively if they are consuming more alcohol than is healthy or responsible.
Overall, excessively is most useful when the writer wants to show that a degree has crossed an appropriate threshold. It can modify behaviour, cost, force, noise, speed, reaction and many other ideas, but the surrounding sentence should make the judgement understandable. Precision comes from showing what standard was exceeded and what consequence followed.
Story
Once upon a time in the jungle, there was a python named Percy. Percy was known for his insatiable appetite. He could eat a whole deer in one gulp when he was hungry. However, after eating, Percy would fall into a food coma and sleep for the next few weeks.
The other animals in the jungle were tired of Percy’s eating habits. They were afraid that he would eat all the food and leave nothing for the others. Worse, they would be his victim. One day, the animals decided to hold an intervention for Percy.
They confronted Percy about his eating habits, but Percy was unapologetic. He argued that he needed to eat a lot to survive, and he enjoyed the feeling of being full.
The animals knew that they needed to take action, so they decided to call the humans to come and trap Percy. They waited for Percy to go into one of his episodes of food coma and called for the humans. The humans arrived with nets and cages, ready to catch Percy.
In his slumber, Percy was caught off guard and was quickly captured by the humans. He was taken to a zoo, where he was put on display for all to see.
At first, Percy was excited about his new home. He had all the food he could eat and a cozy spot to sleep. However, he soon realized that he was no longer in control of his life.
He couldn’t hunt for his own food or roam freely in the jungle. Percy had to rely on the humans to provide him with everything he needed.
In the end, Percy learned his lesson. He realized that his excessive eating had led to his capture and loss of freedom. From that day on, Percy learned to control his appetite and live a more balanced life.
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