undue influence

USAGE SUMMARY

"undue influence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is trying to manipulate or pressure a person into making a decision that they wouldn't make under normal circumstances. For example, "John was worried that his parents were using undue influence to push him into accepting a job offer he was not interested in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Undue influence?

The Economist

And "undue influence".

The New York Times - Books

"Does he have undue influence?

The New York Times

Any suggestion of undue influence is ridiculous.

Independent

Why is this not undue influence?

The Guardian - Opinion

There is greater danger of undue influence and corruption.

The Guardian - Opinion

"UNDUE INFLUENCE" is the 19th of Anita Brookner's dejected novels.

The New York Times - Books

Oil and religion have an undue influence on this administration.

The New York Times

"The bent of undue influence is overemphasized," he said.

The New Yorker

"Was Robert Cohen susceptible to undue influence?" Mr. Rowe asked.

The New York Times

"The perception of undue influence can be as damaging to democracy as undue influence itself," he said in his Light on the Hill lecture in 2014.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical matters, clearly define what constitutes "undue influence" in the specific context to avoid ambiguity. Be explicit about the criteria used to determine that the influence was indeed undue.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone was "influenced"; clarify how the influence was inappropriate, excessive, or coercive. Without this distinction, you risk implying wrongdoing where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undue influence" is that of a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, or as a complement to a noun, describing a specific type of influence that is considered inappropriate or excessive. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue influence" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes inappropriate or excessive persuasion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across a wide range of contexts, from legal and ethical discussions to news reports and academic analyses. While "undue influence" frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, related phrases like "improper influence" and "disproportionate influence" offer nuanced alternatives for specific situations. When using "undue influence", clarity is paramount; define what constitutes it in your specific context. Avoid merely stating "influence" without clarifying its problematic nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improper influence

Replaces "undue" with "improper", suggesting a violation of ethical or procedural standards.

disproportionate influence

Substitutes "undue" with "disproportionate", highlighting the imbalance in influence.

excessive influence

Replaces "undue" with "excessive", emphasizing that the influence is beyond what is acceptable or reasonable.

inordinate influence

Uses "inordinate" instead of "undue", suggesting an excessive or unrestrained level of influence.

unfair influence

Replaces "undue" with "unfair", focusing on the unjust nature of the influence.

inappropriate influence

Substitutes "undue" with "inappropriate", indicating the influence is unsuitable or out of place.

undue pressure

Shifts the focus from general influence to the exertion of pressure.

coercive persuasion

Emphasizes the manipulative aspect of the influence.

manipulative control

Highlights the element of control through manipulation.

abuse of power

Broadens the concept to include any misuse of authority.

FAQs

What does "undue influence" mean?

"Undue influence" refers to the abuse of a position of trust or power to unfairly persuade someone to act against their own best interests or free will. It often occurs in situations involving wills, contracts, or other significant decisions.

How can I identify "undue influence"?

Signs of "undue influence" include a vulnerable individual, a relationship of trust or dependence, suspicious changes in behavior or decisions, secrecy surrounding the decision-making process, and a lack of independent advice.

What are some phrases similar to "undue influence"?

You can use alternatives like "improper influence", "disproportionate influence", or "excessive influence" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "undue influence" a legal term?

Yes, "undue influence" is a recognized legal concept, particularly in estate law (challenging wills) and contract law (rescinding agreements). Proving it in court, however, can be challenging.