What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exceeding
Example
The company's profits are exceeding expectations this quarter. [exceeding: verb]
Example
The beauty of the sunset was exceeding all our hopes. [exceeding: present participle]
excessive
Example
The price of the product was excessive, and many customers could not afford it. [excessive: adjective]
Example
His excessive drinking was causing problems in his personal and professional life. [excessive: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excessive is more commonly used than exceeding in everyday language. Excessive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while exceeding is less common and refers to a specific situation where something goes beyond a limit or expectation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exceeding and excessive?
Both exceeding and excessive can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, exceeding may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
