undue liability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue liability" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to describe a situation where someone is being held responsible for something that is excessive or unwarranted.
It is often used in legal or business contexts, where there may be discussions of liability and responsibility. Example: John felt that the contract he had signed with the company placed an undue liability on him, as he was being held accountable for any mistakes made by his team members, even though he had no control over their actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In recent days, Gap has been the most vocal critic of the plan, saying it feared that joining would subject it to undue liability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Delaware wants to protect directors and officers from liability to ensure that they operate the business without undue fear of personal liability.

The New York Times

Further, "As recognized at common law, public officers require this protection to shield them from undue interference with their duties and from potentially disabling threats of liability".

Huffington Post

Undue influence?

The Economist

And "undue influence".

The New York Times - Books

What's an "undue burden"?

The New Yorker

"Does he have undue influence?

The New York Times

"Undue" and "burden".

The Guardian - Opinion

There are undue influences.

The New York Times - Sports

Limited liability?

The Economist

Hardly undue haste.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts, clearly define the scope of responsibilities to avoid unintentionally assigning "undue liability" to one party.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad indemnification clauses that could expose your client to "undue liability" for events outside their direct control. Ensure the clause is specific and reasonable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue liability" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "undue" modifies the noun "liability". It describes a situation where someone is held responsible for something to an excessive or unwarranted degree. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue liability" is grammatically correct and serves to describe situations where an individual or entity faces an excessive or unwarranted degree of responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is primarily employed in professional and neutral registers, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent and conveys a clear message of concern or disagreement with the assigned level of responsibility. Related phrases include "unfair liability" and "excessive liability", each providing slight nuances in meaning. When using "undue liability", ensure contracts and agreements clearly define responsibilities to avoid ambiguity and potential overreach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfair liability

Emphasizes the unjust nature of the liability.

excessive liability

Highlights the disproportionate amount of liability.

inordinate liability

Focuses on the exceeding of reasonable limits.

unwarranted liability

Stresses the lack of justification for the liability.

disproportionate liability

Underscores the imbalance in responsibility.

unreasonable liability

Indicates the lack of reason or logic behind the liability.

unjustified liability

Similar to unwarranted, but more assertive.

unnecessary liability

Focuses on the avoidability of the liability.

onerous liability

Highlights the burdensome nature of the liability.

unconscionable liability

Emphasizes the shocking unfairness of the liability.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue liability" to describe a situation where someone is held responsible to an unfair or excessive degree. For example: "The company feared that joining the agreement would subject it to "undue liability"."

What's the difference between "undue liability" and "excessive liability"?

"Undue liability" and "excessive liability" are very similar. "Excessive liability" generally refers to a greater amount of liability than is reasonable, while ""undue liability"" implies the liability is not only excessive but also inappropriate or unjustified.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "undue liability"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unfair liability", "unwarranted liability", or "disproportionate liability".

In what contexts is it common to encounter the term "undue liability"?

The term "undue liability" is most commonly encountered in legal, business, and insurance contexts, where discussions about responsibility, risk management, and contractual obligations frequently occur.