excess vs excessive

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A pair of related words that learners confuse: 'excess' names too much of something, while 'excessive' describes something that is too much.

   Grammar: Use this phrase when you are comparing the noun 'excess' with the adjective 'excessive'.

   Patterns

   • excess of something
   • excessive amount of something
   • in excess of something

   People often ask about excess vs excessive because the two words look so similar.

   In the phrase 'an excess of salt', excess is a noun meaning too much salt.

   In the phrase 'excessive salt', excessive is an adjective describing salt that is over the limit.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   An amount that is more than what is needed, allowed, or usual.

   Grammar: Often used with 'an' or 'the' before a singular amount, or without an article when talking about too much in general.

   Patterns

   • an excess of something
   • in excess of something
   • excess of something over something

   The factory was fined for an excess of pollution in the river.

   There is an excess of cheap imports on the market this year.

   The bill came to an excess of two hundred dollars over the estimate.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   More than a particular limit or amount; extra and often unwanted.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun and is not gradable: you say 'excess baggage', not 'more excess baggage'.

   Patterns

   • excess baggage
   • excess weight
   • excess capacity

   The airline charged us for excess baggage at the gate.

   He carries excess weight around his middle, so his doctor advised a diet.

   The company is trying to sell its excess capacity to smaller firms.

4. 4adjectivecomparabledisapproving

   Much more than is reasonable, necessary, or healthy; going beyond a sensible limit.

   Grammar: Can be graded: 'very excessive', 'more excessive than'. It describes the quality of being too much.

   Patterns

   • excessive amounts of something
   • excessive use of something
   • excessive force

   The report criticized the excessive use of force by the guards.

   Excessive amounts of sugar in children's drinks worry many parents.

   She thought the fee was excessive for such a small repair.

Common combinations

an excess of

An excess of rain in spring ruined the strawberry crop.

in excess of

The repairs cost in excess of ten thousand dollars.

excess baggage

We had to pay extra for excess baggage on the flight home.

excessive force

The officers were accused of using excessive force during the arrest.

excessive amounts of

Excessive amounts of screen time can affect your sleep.

Synonyms and how they differ

surplus

Surplus is a noun or adjective for an amount left over after needs are met; it sounds neutral, while excess often suggests an unwanted overflow.

too much

Too much is the everyday phrase for an amount you do not want; excessive is more formal and often appears in reports and rules.

over the top

Over the top is informal and describes behavior or style that goes too far; excessive is the neutral, formal choice for amounts and actions.

Opposites

Word family

excessively adverb

In a way that is too much: 'He exercises excessively.'

excess noun

An amount that is more than needed or allowed.

excessive adjective

Much more than is reasonable or necessary.

Commonly confused: excess vs excessive or access? excess vs excessive or exceed?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “excess vs excessive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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