undue focus on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue focus on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or inappropriate amount of attention given to a particular subject or issue. Example: "The report criticized the committee for its undue focus on minor details while neglecting the larger issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

And undue focus on one target can lead to crimes that are not measured being neglected altogether," she said.

The Guardian

The old cliché contends that an undue focus on individual trees can prevent one from appreciating the grandeur of a forest.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But it's perhaps most usefully understood not as a practice but a state: a moment-to-moment awareness of one's experience, conducted in a non-judgmental spirit, and without undue focus on the achievement of any particular goal.

The Guardian - Books

There has been some discussion about whether the FTC's announcement for this settlement and the media coverage that has followed has put an undue focus on PewDiePie's inclusion among the group of influencers paid by Warner Bros. On one hand, Kjellberg is the only YouTuber called out by name in any of the FTC's messaging.

Vice

Undue focus on the air temperature plateau is cretinous for several more reasons.

The Guardian

Placing undue focus on this single stage of our lives robs us of our dignity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

So since we don't really like having song titles being the title of the record, 'cause it brings this weird, undue focus to the song, I thought it would be cool to call it Down on the Upside.

Wikipedia

When you're a 19- or 20-year-old woman who is decidedly not ready to give so much as a passing thought to motherhood, it's aggravating and confusing when doctors place undue focus and attention on your future fertility instead of on your current symptoms.

Huffington Post

Sliders can put undue stress on a throwing elbow.

The New York Times - Sports

It's easy to avoid putting undue stress on hair.

WikiHow

Failing a rep puts undue stress on your joints.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue focus on", ensure it's followed by a specific and measurable aspect. For example, instead of saying "There's an undue focus", specify "There's an "undue focus on" short-term profits at the expense of long-term growth".

Common error

Avoid using "undue focus on" without specifying what is being neglected as a result. Simply stating that there is an "undue focus on" something lacks impact if you don't explain the negative consequences or what's being overlooked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue focus on" functions as a criticism or observation regarding an imbalance of attention. It highlights that a particular subject or aspect is receiving a disproportionately large amount of attention compared to others. Ludwig confirms the correct use of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue focus on" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is receiving excessive or inappropriate attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what is being neglected as a result of the "undue focus", and to avoid vagueness to maximize the impact of your writing. Consider alternatives like "excessive emphasis on" or "disproportionate attention to" to fine-tune the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive emphasis on

Replaces "focus" with "emphasis", suggesting a strong level of importance placed on something.

disproportionate attention to

Highlights that the amount of attention is not balanced or appropriate.

inordinate concentration on

Emphasizes the intensity and degree of concentration as being excessive.

unwarranted emphasis on

Indicates that the emphasis is not justified or deserved.

overemphasis on

A more concise way of saying that something is emphasized too much.

undue weight given to

Suggests that something is being considered as more important than it should be.

excessive consideration of

Focuses on the act of considering something to an excessive degree.

disproportionate importance placed on

Similar to disproportionate attention but more explicitly about importance.

over-reliance on

Indicates an excessive dependence or trust in something.

misplaced emphasis on

Highlights that the emphasis is not only excessive but also directed at the wrong thing.

FAQs

How can I use "undue focus on" in a sentence?

The phrase "undue focus on" is used to express that something is receiving too much attention, often at the expense of something else. For example: "There is an "undue focus on" test scores, rather than on students' overall well-being".

What can I say instead of "undue focus on"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive emphasis on", "disproportionate attention to", or "unwarranted emphasis on", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "undue focus on" or "too much focus on"?

"Undue focus on" often carries a more critical or formal tone, suggesting that the focus is not just excessive but also inappropriate or unjustified. "Too much focus on" is simpler and more neutral. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "undue focus on" and "focus on"?

"Focus on" simply means to give attention to something. Adding "undue" implies that the attention is excessive, unwarranted, or inappropriate. For example, "The report criticized the "undue focus on" minor details while neglecting the larger issues at hand".