undue pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue pride" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means having an excessive or unwarranted sense of pride or self-importance. Example: "Her constant bragging about her achievements showed her undue pride, alienating her colleagues and friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With neither undue pride nor excessive remorse, Mr. Moreh's interlocutors talk about the "targeted assassination" of Hamas militants, about "moderate physical pressure" applied (sometimes fatally) to Palestinian prisoners and about the other tactics that are part of the arsenal of occupation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With regard to honour and dishonour the mean is proper pride, the excess is known as a sort of 'empty vanity', and the deficiency is undue humility; and as we said liberality was related to magnificence, differing from it by dealing with small sums, so there is a state similarly related to proper pride, being concerned with small honours while that is concerned with great.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She spoke with evident pride, albeit in a sardonic style that echoes Navalny's: she said she would be subject to undue pressure if she answered my questions in front of him.

The New Yorker

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

Undue Fears of China Inc?

Yale University

There are undue influences.

The New York Times - Sports

Hardly undue haste.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undue pride" when you want to express that someone's pride is excessive or not justified by their achievements or qualities. This often implies a negative connotation, suggesting that their pride is leading to arrogance or a lack of humility.

Common error

Avoid using "undue pride" when you simply mean someone is taking justifiable pride in their accomplishments. Ensure the context suggests an excess or inappropriateness of the pride, rather than simply acknowledging a positive feeling of accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue pride" functions as a noun phrase where "undue" modifies the noun "pride". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the state of having excessive or unwarranted self-esteem. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue pride" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe an excessive or unwarranted sense of self-importance. Its usage, while infrequent, appears primarily in News & Media and Academic contexts. While the phrase itself is correct, ensure its use is appropriate to convey the intended negative connotation, differentiating it from justifiable pride. Be mindful of alternative phrasings like "excessive vanity" or "unwarranted arrogance" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive vanity

Replaces 'pride' with 'vanity', emphasizing a superficial and inflated sense of self-importance.

unwarranted arrogance

Substitutes 'pride' with 'arrogance', highlighting a haughty and presumptuous attitude that is not justified.

inordinate self-importance

Replaces the entire phrase with a more explicit description of the concept.

exaggerated sense of self-worth

Focuses on the inflated and unrealistic perception of one's own value.

overweening conceit

Uses 'conceit' to indicate an excessively high opinion of oneself.

smug self-satisfaction

Highlights the complacent and self-satisfied aspect of excessive pride.

unjustified self-admiration

Emphasizes that the admiration is not earned or deserved.

inflated ego

A more concise and common way to express excessive self-importance.

unearned boastfulness

Focuses on the act of boasting without having earned the right to do so.

presumptuous self-regard

Highlights the arrogance and entitlement associated with excessive pride.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue pride" to describe someone who is excessively proud of something, often to a fault. For instance, "His constant bragging about his accomplishments displayed an "undue pride" that alienated his colleagues."

What is the difference between "undue pride" and arrogance?

"Undue pride" refers to an excessive or unjustified sense of self-importance, while arrogance is the outward expression of that inflated self-view, often manifesting as haughtiness and disrespect towards others. Arrogance is often the result of "undue pride".

What are some synonyms for "undue pride"?

Some synonyms for "undue pride" include "excessive vanity", "unwarranted arrogance", and "inordinate self-importance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have "undue pride"?

Yes, the phrase "undue pride" generally carries a negative connotation. It suggests that someone's pride is excessive, unwarranted, and often leads to negative consequences such as arrogance, alienation, or poor judgment.