undue importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue importance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which refers to a situation where something is given more emphasis or priority than is necessary or appropriate. For example, "The company placed undue importance on the quality of the product, which caused the project to be delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Hijacked by people who place undue importance on the way that Miley Cyrus licks hammers.

The Guardian

We still place undue importance on the bottles, labels and corkscrews.

The New York Times - Food

Either that, or we place undue importance on the value of received wisdom.

The Guardian

"The mastery of all shots is demanded," Tillinghast told the members, "without placing undue importance on any".

The New York Times - Sports

So is narcissism, since Stacey places undue importance on her own role in the destinies of both Margery and Helena.

The New York Times - Books

MP: I think the study speaks to the dangers of dads placing undue importance on money and possessions.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The undue and unwarranted importance placed on rote learning of various biochemical pathways in the subject and failure of teachers to adequately emphasize its clinical relevance contribute a great deal to this situation.

BMC Medical Education

It also ruled that the ad differed from the original "in a way that may, reasonably, be perceived as commenting, through ridicule on what a viewer might reasonably think is the undue self-importance conveyed by the subject of the Leibovitz photograph".

Wikipedia

It's the undue amount of importance that very serious people put on Twitter.

The Guardian - Books

"This is not a competition that puts an undue amount of importance on the shallower stuff.

The New York Times

Regardless, some advocates believe that the border wall itself has taken on an undue level of importance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue importance", ensure the context clearly establishes what the appropriate level of importance should be. This clarifies why the current emphasis is considered excessive or inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "undue importance" in contexts where the inflated importance is already glaringly obvious. Instead, focus on the consequences of this misallocation of importance for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue importance" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, indicating that something is receiving more significance than is warranted. It typically appears in contexts where the speaker or writer is critiquing or questioning the allocation of attention or resources. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue importance" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that something is given more significance than it deserves. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, finding applications across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. The phrase is most often used to express criticism or concern about a perceived misallocation of priorities. While generally neutral in register, it's more prevalent in formal writing due to its analytical nature. Related phrases like "disproportionate importance" and "excessive importance" offer similar nuances for expressing imbalance or excess. Ultimately, using "undue importance" effectively requires ensuring the context clearly justifies why the emphasis is inappropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate importance

Emphasizes an imbalance in the level of importance assigned.

excessive importance

Highlights that the importance is beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

inordinate importance

Indicates an importance that is unusually large or out of proportion.

unwarranted importance

Suggests the importance is not justified or deserved.

unnecessary importance

Focuses on the point that the importance is not needed.

undue emphasis

Shifts the focus from 'importance' to 'emphasis', referring to the weight given to something.

overstated importance

Implies that the importance is exaggerated or presented as greater than it actually is.

exaggerated importance

Similar to 'overstated', suggesting the importance is amplified beyond reality.

overblown significance

Indicates that the significance has been inflated or made bigger than it truly is.

misplaced emphasis

Highlights that the focus or importance is directed towards the wrong thing.

FAQs

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

Use "undue importance" to indicate that something is being given more significance than it deserves. For example, "The media placed "undue importance" on the celebrity's personal life, overshadowing more pressing issues".

What are some alternatives to "undue importance"?

You can use alternatives like "disproportionate importance", "excessive importance", or "unwarranted importance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "due importance" instead of "undue importance"?

"Due importance" means giving something the appropriate level of significance, whereas "undue importance" means giving something too much significance. They have opposite meanings and should be used accordingly.

What is the difference between "undue importance" and "undue emphasis"?

While similar, "undue importance" refers to the excessive significance attached to something, while "undue emphasis" refers to the excessive stress or focus placed on something. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting the significance or the focus.