So I'm trying to write my own novel, and there's a scene where the main character is being treated to an item at a café, and he doesn't want to get anything expensive. Would it be grammatically correct to say: "I decided to go with something inexpensive so as to not overreach on her generosity." ?
I don't know if it's correct or incorrect, but it's certainly clunky. There are a lot of colloquialisms ("to go with", "so as to not" "overreach on") that make it awkward. Can you simplify it? "I decided on something inexpensive so I wouldn't take advantage of her generosity" or something?
'On her' seems wrong, regarding 'generosity'. Though there is a good forum somewhere - how mysterious, but I can't remember its name - that answers many such grammar questions. Regardless, it doesn't read very pleasantly in general. Something like: "I decided on something inexpensive so as to not take advantage of her generosity." Or somesuch, would be better, I think. What BayView said, yes. 'Inexpensive' is fitting enough - it fits better than cheap, in my eyes, but it may depend on the character you're writing - but 'overreach' sounds odd, and 'on' would be more fitting than 'to go with', I think.
I agree - overeach is one of those business bullshit bingo terms these days, but it doesnt mean what you are using it to mean here.... its more a sense of going too far .... "I ordered the Chateua Briand but realised i'd overreached when i checked my wallet" I'd say Impose on, take advantage of, or exploit would work better
Do you even need to point out the intention after the fact? Specifically stating that you ordered something inexpensive might be enough to show consideration for her generosity, or to at least give the reader something to think about regarding your intentions.
