undue cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cost that is excessive or unreasonable in relation to the benefits or outcomes expected. Example: "The project was halted due to the potential for undue cost that would outweigh the expected benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Privacy often can be protected without undue cost to security," he continues.

The New York Times

The plan is currently on hold pending a supreme court challenge from states that claim it will place an undue cost upon the public.

The Guardian

This process, he said, in setting back a selection by at least four months, meant that keeping to the original launching date would put undue cost and schedule pressure on the winner.

The New York Times - Science

The company reasons that after 90 days, your problem might be self-induced and that without a time limit there could be "an undue cost burden on our products, forcing us to raise our prices for all consumers instead of the few that need continuous help," wrote Mark Wilhelm, a vice president at Sling Media, in an e-mail message to the Haggler.

The New York Times

"D.E.C. was not going to address it in a way that was adequate enough for industry," he said, adding, "The governor recognized the legitimate inequities in the proposal that D.E.C. had put on the street and was very concerned about undue cost on business".

The New York Times

If the person hadn't felt comfortable speaking, a structure would have been built that would soon have had to be demolished at undue cost.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Inequities and undue costs occur due to a lack of thoughtful planning.

University of California, Berkeley

Those that fail face fines.Businesses often complain that such tough measures impose undue costs, which they must then pass on to consumers as higher prices.

The Economist

Banking associations say it would impose undue costs on them because there are no reliable federal or state databases with shell company owners.

The New York Times

As someone who now has a speciality in e-discovery, I see a small trend where the courts are reaching for mechanisms to impose undue costs of discovery on the litigant responsible for them.

The Economist

He added that the law on the subject involving the EU Wild Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive – which a review ordered by chancellor George Osborne concluded was not putting undue costs on British businesses – was "unfortunately... complex and opaque".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue cost", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the cost is considered excessive or inappropriate. Provide specific details or comparisons to justify the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "undue cost" without providing context on why the cost is considered excessive. Simply stating a cost is "undue" without supporting evidence weakens your argument. Provide a comparison or justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue cost" functions as a noun phrase, where "undue" modifies the noun "cost". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue cost" is a valid and useful expression for describing costs considered excessive or unjustified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and readily understandable. While not as frequent as some alternatives, it carries a distinct nuance, emphasizing the inappropriateness of the expense in relation to its value or benefit. The phrase appears across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Formal & Business communications. When using "undue cost", provide clear context to support the assessment that the cost is indeed excessive. Some alternatives are "excessive cost" and "unreasonable expense".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive cost

Direct synonym, emphasizing the cost is beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

unreasonable expense

Similar to "excessive cost", but highlights the lack of justification for the expense.

disproportionate cost

Focuses on the imbalance between the cost and the benefit or value received.

inordinate expense

Similar to excessive, suggesting a cost that is out of proportion or control.

unjustifiable cost

Highlights that there is no valid reason or excuse for the cost.

unwarranted cost

Similar to "unjustifiable cost", emphasizing that the cost is not deserved or necessary.

exorbitant price

Indicates an outrageously high and unfair price.

onerous financial burden

Emphasizes the heavy and oppressive nature of the cost.

prohibitive cost

Suggests the cost is so high that it prevents a particular action or purchase.

unacceptable financial strain

Highlights the damaging impact of the cost on financial stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue cost" to describe situations where expenses are considered excessive or disproportionate to the value received. For instance, "The project was abandoned due to the potential for "undue cost"."

What are some alternatives to saying "undue cost"?

Alternatives include "excessive cost", "unreasonable expense", or "disproportionate cost", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "undue cost" or "unnecessary cost"?

"Undue cost" implies that the cost is excessive in relation to the benefit, while "unnecessary cost" suggests the cost could have been avoided altogether. The best choice depends on the specific context. It is more appropriate to use "undue cost" when something has a cost that is too expensive, not because it is simply avoidable. Use "unnecessary cost" if the expense has no purpose or benefit.

What does "undue" really mean in the context of "undue cost"?

In the context of "undue cost", "undue" means excessive, inappropriate, or unwarranted. It signifies that the cost is beyond what is reasonable or justifiable in the given situation. For example, an "unwarranted cost" or an "unjustifiable cost".