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LearnerEnglish Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

too much by half

Hello everyone,

Can I say "You know/understand too much by half" to show my annoyance for being a bit too nerdy?

Thank you
  

Top answer

The common structure is 'too adjective by half'. eg He is too clever by half. The adjective is usually a complimentary one.

— Clive

  • The common structure is 'too adjective by half'.
  • eg He is too clever by half.
  • The adjective is usually a complimentary one.
  • I wouldn't say your version is wrong, but to me it sounds awkward and a bit odd.
  • Clive
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4 Answers
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The common structure is 'too adjective by half'.
eg He is too clever by half.
The adjective is usually a complimentary one.

I wouldn't say your version is wrong, but to me it sounds awkward and a bit odd.

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Cliveto me it sounds awkward and a bit odd.
And for me, I can't quite wrap my brain about its logic.
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The reason I wanted to write it like is I thought

Since "Too much by half" means something that is 50% more than the required, so if I apply the same logic and say "You know/understand too much by half" that would probably mean "You know/understand 50% more than the required".

But
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CliveThe adjective is usually a complimentary one.
And yet, according to most definitions, the expression as a whole is negative.

too clever by half and too arrogant by half are often quoted as examples, and too X for one's own good or excessively X are sometimes used as an explanation.

CJ
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