undue effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is excessive or unwarranted in relation to the task at hand. Example: "The project should be completed without undue effort, ensuring that we meet our deadlines efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

All the rectitude, clarity and fervor that he and the musicians have worked hard to achieve in this repertory was there with no sense of forcing or undue effort.

The New York Times - Arts

Of the young voices among the soloists – all required to move around the stage a good deal – tenor Nick Pritchard was the most impressive: the clarity of words, his full but sweet tone, together with the ability to inject an urgency into his sound without undue effort, stood out.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, even though the partner who gushed at the PlayLab was wowed by her ability to squirt, she dissuaded me from putting undue effort into provoking it again.

Vice

It described Waddington as bowling "left-hand, medium pace inclining to fast", with a "delivery that seems part of himself free from any suggestion of labour or undue effort"; it noted that he always bowled a good length and made the ball bounce sharply after pitching.

Wikipedia

Do people with ADHD show an early onset of fatigue or feel that they exert undue effort to overcome the deficiencies across a period of task performance?

Behavioral and Brain Functions

A summed score was calculated ranging from 18 (indicating ability to perform all activities without assistance or undue effort) to 72 (indicating disability).

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Nathaniel Clay, the newly reappointed superintendent, first got the job in 1995, replacing Eddy Bayardelle, who resigned because of what he said were undue efforts by the board to influence personnel decisions.

The New York Times

Notice if any tools or utensils seem flimsy, worn, or if any task seems to require undue time or effort.

WikiHow

We also hypothesize that SCALE-UP is protected against abandonment because once an investment is made, it would require significant effort to undue the reform.

International Journal of STEM Education

But these benefits will be largely illusory to the countries where production takes place if the result is that those countries where foodstuffs and raw materials are alternative crops divert an undue proportion of their efforts to producing these raw materials and cut back production of domestic foodstuffs.

FAO

The guidelines give museums new ethical leverage in their effort to resist undue pressure from lenders or corporate underwriters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, use "undue effort" to emphasize efficiency and avoiding unnecessary steps. For example, "The process should be streamlined to avoid any "undue effort" on the part of the employees."

Common error

Avoid using "undue effort" when simply indicating that something requires effort. Reserve it for situations where the effort is genuinely disproportionate or avoidable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue effort" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "undue" modifies the noun "effort". It typically describes situations where the amount of effort expended is considered excessive, unnecessary, or disproportionate to the task at hand. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI response, which confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue effort" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe situations where the effort expended is excessive or unnecessary. While the phrase is versatile across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news, scientific and wiki sources. When writing, it's important to use "undue effort" to emphasize efficiency and avoid unnecessary steps, while avoiding it where simply indicating that something requires effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needless effort

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the action.

undue strain

Similar to excessive strain, focusing on pressure or tension.

unnecessary exertion

Highlights that the effort is not required or needed.

unwarranted effort

Highlights that the effort is not justified or deserved.

unjustified exertion

Similar to unwarranted, indicating a lack of justification.

excessive strain

Focuses on the physical or mental burden being too great.

excessive energy

Focuses on the excessive amount of energy expended.

disproportionate effort

Implies the effort is not in balance with the result or task.

inordinate labor

Emphasizes the disproportionate amount of work involved.

gratuitous struggle

Suggests the struggle is uncalled for and without purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue effort" to describe a situation where more effort than necessary is being expended. For example, "The task shouldn't require "undue effort" if the instructions are followed carefully."

What is a good substitute for "undue effort"?

Alternatives to "undue effort" include "unnecessary exertion", "excessive strain", or "needless effort", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "undue effort"?

It is appropriate to use "undue effort" when you want to emphasize that the amount of work or energy being used is disproportionate to the task at hand or is otherwise unnecessary.

What's the difference between "undue effort" and "significant effort"?

"Undue effort" implies that the effort is excessive or unwarranted, while "significant effort" simply means that a considerable amount of effort is required, without necessarily implying that it is unnecessary or disproportionate.