undue length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively long or longer than what is considered appropriate or necessary. Example: "The report was criticized for its undue length, making it difficult for readers to stay engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That nous for emotional intelligence has come in especially handy and it does not take conversations of undue length with some of his players to discern heartfelt feeling about the turnarounds, personal and professional, Potter has wrought.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition, Sullivan told his mother that at least one song was cut after opening night, and there must certainly have been other cuts, given the undue length of the first performance.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reckless speculators in the Argentine republic have lost money because they carried their speculation to undue lengths; but the Argentines have profited and the country is profiting by the sowing broad-cast of [foreign] capital in the country.

Johns Hopkins University

An adult trout can capture and consume a fish about one-quarter its own length without undue difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The locks on the river are paired, with two lock chambers side-by-side, and in most cases the larger lock also has intermediate gates, so that ships of varying length can be accommodated, without undue waste of water.

Wikipedia

Ever since Alistair Darling rescued RBS, the Treasury has been determined to manage the taxpayers' stakes in the bailed-out banks at arm's length, being scrupulously careful not to exert undue political influence.

The Guardian - Business

If the analysis is not done responsibly, at arm's length, the public may be concerned that undue pressure was brought to bear by overwhelmingly powerful industry.

Huffington Post

It described Waddington as bowling "left-hand, medium pace inclining to fast", with a "delivery that seems part of himself free from any suggestion of labour or undue effort"; it noted that he always bowled a good length and made the ball bounce sharply after pitching.

Wikipedia

Thomas E. Patterson, professor of government and the press at Harvard University's Kennedy School, thought the article assigned "undue weight" to Mr. Romney's connection, given that it is an arm's-length one.

The New York Times

Asking scientists to wait an indeterminate length of time for a community to pass judgement on a paper is an undue burden and gives no guidance to the naïve or inexperienced reader.

Nature

"It seems that the value of a relationship could be measured in the length of a streak," he said, asking whether parents who felt that they were putting "undue pressure" on their children could remove them.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue length", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard of length is being violated. Providing a specific reason why the length is problematic will strengthen your argument.

Common error

While "undue length" is grammatically sound, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly critical. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "excessive length" or "unnecessary length" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue length" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "undue" modifies the noun "length". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. This phrase typically serves to describe something that exceeds a reasonable or acceptable limit in terms of its length.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undue length" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that is excessively long or longer than what is considered appropriate or necessary. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While it is more common in News & Media, Academia and Wiki, it can also be found in Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the context clearly indicates what standard of length is being violated. Alternatives include "excessive length", "unnecessary length", and "inordinate length".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive length

Replaces "undue" with "excessive", emphasizing the exceeding of a normal or acceptable limit.

unnecessary length

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the given length.

inordinate length

Uses "inordinate" to convey that the length is beyond reasonable limits.

disproportionate length

Highlights the imbalance or lack of proper proportion in the length.

unjustifiable length

Indicates that the length cannot be defended or justified.

unreasonable length

Suggests the length is not within the bounds of reason or acceptability.

inappropriate length

Emphasizes that the length is unsuitable or out of place.

exaggerated length

Indicates that the length has been stretched beyond what is normal or true.

unjustified length

Similar to "unjustifiable length", but with a slightly different emphasis.

unacceptable length

Conveys that the length is not tolerable or allowable.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue length" to describe something that is longer than necessary or appropriate. For example: "The report was criticized for its "undue length", which made it difficult to follow."

What are some alternatives to "undue length"?

Some alternatives to "undue length" include "excessive length", "unnecessary length", or "inordinate length", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "undue length"?

The phrase "undue length" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is not only long, but also inappropriately or unjustifiably so.

Is "undue length" formal or informal?

"Undue length" is generally considered neutral to formal. However, using alternatives like "excessive length" might be preferable in some formal contexts to avoid sounding overly critical.