Definition

1. Adverb:
   • To a high or excessive degree; very; regrettably: Used to emphasize that something is true to a greater extent than is desirable or pleasant, often implying a sense of regret, concern, or that something is overly common.

Usage

• The phrase "all too" is used to modify adjectives or adverbs, intensifying their meaning in a negative or lamenting context. It suggests that the quality described is excessive or more prevalent than one would wish.
• It typically precedes the adjective or adverb it modifies (e.g., all too common, all too quickly).

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The ending of that movie was all too predictable. (It was regrettably very predictable.)
  • Summer vacation passed all too soon. (It passed very quickly, and I wish it hadn't.)
  • These kinds of accidents are all too frequent. (They happen with a regrettably high frequency.)

Advanced Usage

• "all too often": Used to complain that something happens more frequently than it should.
  • All too often, important details are overlooked in the planning phase.
• "all too easy": Used to suggest that something is deceptively or unfortunately simple to do.
  • It is all too easy to blame others for our own mistakes.
• "all too aware": Used to emphasize a full, and often uncomfortable, understanding of something.
  • I am all too aware of the risks involved.

Variants and Related Words

• Only too (adv): Very, and often willingly. Can be similar but sometimes lacks the strong negative connotation of regret.
  • I would be only too happy to help. (This expresses willingness, not regret.)
• All so (adv): An informal or dialectal variant meaning "very."
  • It was all so confusing. (This is less formal and doesn't carry the "regrettable" nuance.)

Synonyms

• Regrettably: In a way that inspires regret; unfortunately.
• Unfortunately: Used to express regret or disappointment about a situation.
• Excessively: To a greater degree than is necessary, normal, or desirable.
• Painfully: (Informal, as an intensifier) Very; extremely (e.g., ).

Related Phrases

• All too familiar: Regrettably very well known or recognized, usually from unpleasant experience.
  • The feeling of disappointment was all too familiar.
• All too real: Emphasizes that something, often something negative, is undeniably true or existent.
  • The threat of climate change is all too real.

Adverb

1. to a high degree
   • she is all too ready to accept the job