undue help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue help" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe assistance that is excessive or inappropriate in a given context, often implying that it goes beyond what is necessary or acceptable. Example: "The teacher was concerned that providing undue help during the exam would compromise the integrity of the assessment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This they would have done in the belief not so much that there was undue help there, but that they had the firepower to dismiss New Zealand and then be able to dictate proceedings accordingly.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Officials at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say they did not take on undue risk by helping to finance the highly leveraged acquisition by Tishman Speyer and Lehman Brothers of Archstone, the country's largest apartment landlord (in terms of market and equity capitalization).

The New York Times

Contrary to popular belief, affirmative action policies did not afford me any undue advantages that helped me to achieve my current status.

Science Magazine

This not only helps deflect undue political pressure to contribute, but it also helps executives weigh the possible consequences of a contribution.

Huffington Post

Politics is bound to intrude, though an independent review panel could help keep undue influence at bay.

The New York Times

His first choice, John Ashcroft, helped railroad undue restrictions of civil liberties through Congress after the 9/11 attacks.

The New York Times

This low key and relatively infrequent advice may have imbued viewers with a sense that pH1N1 was nothing out of the ordinary and helped prevent undue alarm arising.

BMC Public Health

Even under the new rules, British producers are not allowed to give "undue prominence" to products that help pay the rent, nor are they allowed to weave them into plot lines in an obvious way.

The New York Times

Fred Wertheimer, the president of Democracy 21, an advocacy group whose stated mission is to help "eliminate the undue influence of big money in American politics," told me, "I understand how important this election is, but when George Soros puts eighteen million dollars in it's creating the image that there's a special right that the very rich have to determine the outcome of elections.

The New Yorker

Altered muscle synergies are shown in FM patients [ 49], but future studies need to examine if they have a higher rate of coactivation in stability tasks and whether this can help to explain undue muscle fatigue commonly reported by FM patients.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

When the government selects one sector for support — whether steel or solar panels — it often helps contribute to undue exuberance among investors, resulting in wasteful projects that depress the economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing "undue help", be specific about what makes the assistance excessive or inappropriate. Provide examples of the negative consequences or unintended effects.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the effects of "undue help". While it can be detrimental, ensure your claims are proportional to the actual situation. Overuse of dramatic language can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue help" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "undue" emphasizes that the help is excessive or inappropriate. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue help" is used to describe situations where assistance is considered excessive or inappropriate. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare in occurrence. It usually conveys a negative connotation, suggesting the help is more harmful than beneficial. Related phrases include "unwarranted assistance" and "excessive aid". When employing this phrase, specificity is key; detailing precisely why the help is "undue" strengthens the critique. While it's important to avoid exaggerating the consequences, using "undue help" effectively requires careful consideration of its implications and the context in which it is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwarranted assistance

Replaces "undue" with "unwarranted", emphasizing the lack of justification for the help.

excessive aid

Replaces "undue help" with more direct terms indicating too much assistance.

inappropriate support

Focuses on the inappropriateness of the help, rather than the quantity.

unjustified intervention

Highlights the lack of justification and the intrusive nature of the help.

disproportionate assistance

Emphasizes the imbalance in the amount of help provided.

unnecessary assistance

Indicates that the help was not needed in the first place.

unmerited favor

Highlights the undeserved nature of the assistance.

excessive intervention

Focuses on the excessive intrusion implied by the help.

undeserved advantage

Shifts the focus to the unfair advantage gained from the help.

unreasonable support

Indicates the support is beyond what is sensible or justifiable.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue help" to describe situations where assistance is excessive or inappropriate. For example, "The student received "undue help" from the tutor, hindering their ability to learn independently."

What are some alternatives to "undue help"?

Alternatives to "undue help" include "excessive aid", "unwarranted assistance", or "inappropriate support", depending on the specific context.

Is "undue help" a negative term?

Yes, "undue help" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the assistance is excessive or inappropriate, leading to negative consequences or hindering independence.

What's the difference between "help" and "undue help"?

"Help" refers to general assistance, while "undue help" specifically refers to assistance that is excessive, inappropriate, or unwarranted. It suggests that the help provided is more than what is necessary or beneficial.