undue praise

USAGE SUMMARY

"undue praise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe excessive or undeserved praise. Example sentence: Parents should be careful to not give their children undue praise, as it can lead to a sense of entitlement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The captain Mike Atherton, referring to those comments in his autobiography, said Illingworth was "as likely to give undue praise as the Pope is to condone abortion".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can call this inspiration or undue haste — some have praised the song, which pairs Smith's famous falsetto with lush orchestration, as revealing 007's softer, more vulnerable side.

The New Yorker

At a news conference in Accra on Sunday, DCI Graeme Gwyn, of the Met's homicide and major crime command, praised the Ghanaian authorities and said there had been no undue delay in apprehending Simpson-Kent.

The Guardian

Undue influence?

The Economist

And "undue influence".

The New York Times - Books

"Does he have undue influence?

The New York Times

"Undue" and "burden".

The Guardian - Opinion

There are undue influences.

The New York Times - Sports

Hardly undue haste.

The Guardian

What was notable about his column was not that he praised Obama's speech or agreed with it but simply that, notwithstanding a few snarky twitches, he summarized it without undue distortion.

The New Yorker

This is not an undue hardship.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be cautious about giving "undue praise" to avoid creating a sense of entitlement or unrealistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "undue praise" to inflate someone's ego or create a false sense of accomplishment, as this can lead to complacency and hinder future growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue praise" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "undue" modifies the noun "praise". It describes praise that is excessive, unwarranted, or inappropriate. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undue praise" refers to praise that is excessive or unwarranted. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The analysis shows it's a common term, employed in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. It’s vital to be aware of the potential pitfalls of offering "undue praise", such as creating entitlement or misattributing success. To be more precise in your feedback, consider using alternatives like "disproportionate praise" or "unjustified acclaim". The key takeaway is to ensure that praise is genuine, balanced, and proportionate to the achievement to foster growth and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate praise

Emphasizes that the amount of praise given is not in line with what is deserved.

excessive commendation

Focuses on the surfeit or abundance of praise given.

unjustified acclaim

Highlights that the praise is not warranted or deserved based on merit.

unwarranted adulation

Stresses that the intense admiration is not justified.

overstated accolades

Indicates that the praise or awards have been exaggerated.

inordinate flattery

Suggests that the flattery is excessive and beyond reasonable bounds.

immoderate approval

Emphasizes a lack of moderation in the expression of approval.

undeserved compliments

Highlights that the positive remarks are not earned or justified.

gratuitous glorification

Implies that the praise is freely given and unnecessary, often to an excessive degree.

excessive recognition

Focuses on the surfeit or abundance of recognition given.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The manager was careful not to give any employee "undue praise", preferring to offer balanced feedback".

What phrases are similar to "undue praise"?

Alternatives include "disproportionate praise", "excessive commendation", or "unjustified acclaim", each highlighting different aspects of unwarranted commendation.

Is it better to give "undue praise" or no praise at all?

Neither extreme is ideal. Constructive feedback that acknowledges both strengths and areas for improvement is more effective than offering "undue praise" or withholding it altogether.

What is the effect of giving "undue praise"?

Giving "undue praise" can create a false sense of accomplishment, potentially hindering the recipient's motivation to improve and fostering an unrealistic self-assessment.