undue consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to consequences that are excessive or unwarranted in relation to a particular action or situation. Example: "The new policy may lead to undue consequences for employees who are already struggling to meet their targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Brahmaputra is on high stake so far as this water diversion process is concerned and any such attempts of diversion of the Brahmaputra waters will likely produce undue consequences for the lower riparian countries—India and Bangladesh.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

They also had the right to withdraw from the study at any time without undue consequences.

Global Health Action

For instance, we are typically interested in the prognostic probability above which a physician would commit to the decision to treat a patient, and the probability below which he/she would not to treat a patient without feeling undue consequences of these decisions[ 28].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Likewise, the clinician would know with certainty that this patient would not suffer any undue adverse consequences or harm as a result of treatment with tissue plasminogen activator.

Critical Care

Some are even trying to undue the consequences of their own actions taken in the 90s.

Huffington Post

Indeed, the ability of CD3ζ-based CARs to interact with components of the TCR complex permits targeted truncations of the signalling chain without undue functional consequences.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

Avoiding Deficiency Warnings about the cosmetic and cancerous consequences of undue sun exposure have prompted millions of health-conscious Americans to protect themselves from UVB with protective clothing and liberal use of sunscreen on exposed skin.

The New York Times

False alerts need to be mitigated because they might have substantial undue economic and social consequences.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

When performing the study, ethical guidelines were followed (i.e. with regard to avoiding undue intrusion, avoiding adverse consequences, confidentiality, enabling participation, informed consent and data protection) [ 35].

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

The state of the present market is the consequence of undue impatience combined with excessive greed.

Forbes

"I'm concerned about possible unintended consequences, such as creating undue alarm, particularly among those who are nearing retirement age but don't receive a written notice," the commissioner, Jo Anne Barnhart, said in an appearance before the Social Security Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "undue consequences" with active verbs (e.g. 'avoid,' 'prevent,' 'mitigate') to highlight proactive efforts to reduce or eliminate disproportionate negative outcomes.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "undue consequences" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation, where simpler phrasing may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue consequences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It often appears in contexts discussing potential negative impacts or ethical considerations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue consequences" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe outcomes that are disproportionately severe or unjustified. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including science, news media, and academia, denoting its widespread acceptability. When writing, be mindful that while the phrase is technically adequate in almost every context, it is preferable to use it in formal contexts or when a neutral tone is desired. Consider alternatives like "disproportionate repercussions" or "unwarranted outcomes" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate repercussions

Emphasizes the imbalance between action and result, highlighting the excessive nature of the consequences.

unwarranted outcomes

Focuses on the lack of justification for the results, suggesting they are not deserved or appropriate.

excessive ramifications

Highlights the extreme and over-the-top nature of the consequences, implying they are beyond what is reasonable.

unjustified repercussions

Stresses the unfairness of the consequences, indicating they are not morally or ethically sound.

inappropriate outcomes

Suggests the consequences are unsuitable or out of place in the given situation.

undeserved hardships

Highlights the unfair suffering resulting from the consequences.

undue hardship

Focuses on the excessive difficulty or suffering caused by the situation.

unmerited penalties

Emphasizes that the consequences are not deserved based on the actions taken.

unreasonable penalties

Highlights how penalties are beyond the bounds of what is deemed rational or sensible.

unjust outcomes

Focuses on the idea that the results are not aligned with what is morally right or fair.

FAQs

How can I use "undue consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "undue consequences" to describe situations where the results are disproportionately negative or unjustified. For instance, "The policy change may lead to "undue consequences" for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "undue consequences"?

Alternatives include "disproportionate repercussions", "unwarranted outcomes", or "excessive ramifications", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "undue consequences" or "unnecessary consequences"?

"Undue consequences" suggests the results are disproportionate or unjustified, while "unnecessary consequences" implies they could have been avoided. The best choice depends on the specific context you are describing.

What's the difference between "undue consequences" and "unintended consequences"?

"Undue consequences" refers to results that are excessive or unwarranted. "Unintended consequences" simply means the results were not originally planned or expected, without necessarily being disproportionate or negative.