undue amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is spending more time than is reasonable or necessary on a task or activity. Example: "The project took an undue amount of time to complete, causing delays in our overall schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Under the current circumstances where our state needs a strong voice in Washington on so many different issues," Mr. Quinn said, "I don't think it's in the public interest or the common good to have a U.S. senator who has to spend an undue amount of time going over and over matters with respect to how he obtained the office".

The New York Times

Reform opponents went bonkers, and the media spent an undue amount of time demonstrating how little they knew about the legislative process.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's the undue amount of importance that very serious people put on Twitter.

The Guardian - Books

"This is not a competition that puts an undue amount of importance on the shallower stuff.

The New York Times

Drivers are generally opposed to any lowering of speed limits, and changing traffic laws at the state level has traditionally required an undue amount of legislative maneuvering.

The New Yorker

They're trumpeting — with an undue amount of enthusiasm — that we just scored 6 points on Words With Friends for making the word "cat".

The New York Times

In this administration, Mr. Bartlett said, "the nonfunctioning economic operation is causing the political implications of decisions to have an undue amount of influence".

The New York Times

The question "How was your day?," when leveled with what is perceived as an undue amount of concern, can cause steam to emerge from ears.

The New York Times

But the wholesale surrender of municipal management to an algorithmic toolset seems to place an undue amount of trust in the party responsible for authoring the algorithm.

The Guardian - Tech

film, will not endear it to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but surgery doesn't take up an undue amount of the show — it just seems that way, because when it does occur it's shockingly brutal.

The New Yorker

The result of this ruling was to give an undue amount of influence to corporate polluters and, in particular, the fossil fuel industry, which is the wealthiest industry on the planet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "undue amount of time", ensure the context clearly indicates what the excessive time is detracting from or negatively impacting. Providing a specific consequence strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "undue amount of time" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "excessive duration" or "disproportionate time investment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue amount of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the quantity of time, emphasizing its excessiveness or inappropriateness, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue amount of time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote an excessive or inappropriate allocation of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, wiki, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the negative impact of the time expenditure. Consider alternatives like "excessive duration" or "disproportionate time investment" for stylistic variety. Ludwig's analysis reveals that the phrase serves to express concern or criticism about the amount of time used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive duration

Focuses on the length of time being longer than necessary.

disproportionate time investment

Highlights the imbalance in the time allocated compared to the importance of the task.

unwarranted time expenditure

Emphasizes that the time spent is not justified or deserved.

inordinate time commitment

Stresses the unusually large amount of time dedicated.

needless time consumption

Indicates that the time used is unnecessary and wasteful.

gratuitous time allocation

Suggests the time given was uncalled for and excessive.

superfluous time spent

Highlights that the time spent was more than required or useful.

overextended time frame

Implies the time period was longer than what was reasonable.

unreasonable time demand

Focuses on the impractical or unfair requirement of time.

protracted time span

Emphasizes the extended length of time involved.

FAQs

What does "undue amount of time" mean?

The phrase "undue amount of time" refers to a quantity of time spent on something that is considered excessive, unwarranted, or disproportionate to its importance or value.

How can I use "undue amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "undue amount of time" to describe situations where more time than necessary is being spent, for example: "The investigation took an "undue amount of time", delaying the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "undue amount of time"?

Some alternatives to "undue amount of time" include "excessive duration", "disproportionate time investment", or "inordinate time commitment", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "undue amount of time" or "excessive amount of time"?

Both "undue amount of time" and "excessive amount of time" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Undue" suggests inappropriateness or unreasonableness, while "excessive" simply indicates too much.