undue emphasis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue emphasis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is given more importance or attention than it deserves. Example: "The report placed undue emphasis on minor issues while neglecting the more significant problems at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Israel says this places undue emphasis on something that is less central to Middle East peace than many abroad assert.

The New York Times

I asked the obituaries editor, William McDonald, to respond to the complaints that the obituary gave the Pentagon inquiry undue emphasis.

The New York Times

That may be why China-watchers place undue emphasis on what is published regularly, namely the monthly data on China's external trade and foreign direct investment (FDI).

The Economist

In some respects, the concept has done more harm than good by persuading top executives to neglect existing brands and place undue emphasis on new products.

Harvard Business Review

The Mitnaggedim were further incensed that Hasidic religious leaders (tzaddiqim) were looked upon as mediators between man and God and that undue emphasis on religious emotionalism undermined the traditional authority of the rabbis by downgrading serious study of the Torah.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But in a culture that values novel technology above all else, undue emphasis on interpersonal skills may make it only more difficult for patients to discern good medicine from that which makes us feel most understood.

The New York Times - Health

"Inside the party, there are many problems that need be addressed, especially the problems among party members and officials of corruption and taking bribes, being out of touch with the people, undue emphasis on formalities and bureaucracy, and other issues".

The New York Times

"Inside the party there are problems that need to be addressed, especially the problems of corruption, taking bribes, being out of touch with the people, undue emphasis on formalities and bureaucratism, which must be addressed by great efforts," he pledged.

The Guardian

limited skills in option generation and undue emphasis on supply-side solutions;   6.

European Transport Research Review

He warned party members that the problems of "corruption, taking bribes, being out of touch with the people, undue emphasis on formalities and bureaucracy must be addressed with great efforts".

BBC

But it still sounded different when Xi Jinping warned "the problems among party members and cadres of corruption, taking bribes, being out of touch with the people, undue emphasis on formalities and bureaucracy must be addressed with great efforts".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue emphasis", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the emphasis is disproportionate or inappropriate. Providing specific examples strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid stating that something receives "undue emphasis" without explaining why. Support your assertion with evidence or reasoning to make your point more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue emphasis" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb like 'place', 'give', or 'put'. It serves to identify situations where something is being overemphasized or given disproportionate importance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undue emphasis" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that points to a disproportionate focus or importance given to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to substantiate the claim with evidence or reasoning. Alternatives such as "disproportionate focus" or "excessive attention" can be considered for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid unsubstantiated claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overemphasis

This is a single word that combines the concept of "over" and "emphasis" directly.

Disproportionate focus

This alternative replaces "emphasis" with "focus" and adds the adjective "disproportionate" conveying a similar meaning.

Excessive attention

This phrase uses "attention" instead of "emphasis" and "excessive" instead of "undue", suggesting a surplus of focus.

Unwarranted focus

This alternative replaces "undue" with "unwarranted", suggesting the emphasis is not justified.

Inordinate importance

This phrase uses "importance" as a substitute for "emphasis", with "inordinate" highlighting the excessive nature.

Disproportionate weight

This phrase uses "weight" as a metaphor for importance, indicating an imbalance.

Overstated importance

This phrase directly indicates that the level of importance assigned is higher than appropriate.

Exaggerated significance

This alternative uses "significance" and "exaggerated" to convey that the emphasis is overstated.

Unjustified attention

This is an alternative that emphasizes that the attention being paid is not justified.

Too much weight

This phrase simply suggests excess with 'too much' rather than 'undue'.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue emphasis" to point out when something is getting more attention or importance than it deserves. For example, "The report placed undue emphasis on minor issues while neglecting the significant problems."

What can I say instead of "undue emphasis"?

Alternatives include "disproportionate focus", "excessive attention", or "overemphasis", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

"Undue emphasis" suggests the emphasis is disproportionate, while "unnecessary emphasis" implies the emphasis isn't needed at all. The better choice depends on whether the emphasis is excessive or simply superfluous.

What's the difference between "undue emphasis" and "special emphasis"?

"Undue emphasis" implies that something is being overemphasized or given too much importance. "Special emphasis", on the other hand, simply means that something is being highlighted or given particular attention, without necessarily implying that it's excessive.