undue suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

"undue suffering" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to describe a situation where a person or animal experiences excessive pain or distress. For example, "The animal rights activist accused the circus of causing undue suffering to the elephants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It may be a little embarrassing, but most people (especially people you know) would rather leave you alone to do your thing than cause you undue suffering.

WikiHow

My exile in the sun-drenched West unfolded without undue suffering, thank you for asking.

The New Yorker

The Security Council, responding to persistent reports of undue suffering because of the embargo, requested the impact survey in June.

The New York Times

The temporary feeling of personal embarrassment associated with the phrase "I don't know" is trivial compared with a patient's undue suffering or untimely demise.

The New York Times

Under Canadian criminal law it is not illegal to kill dogs using a gun, provided it is done without undue suffering.

The New York Times

Not unless you consider removal to Paris, marriage to a French aristocrat and Charles Boyer for a chauffeur with extracurricular duties to constitute harsh and undue suffering.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What's at stake is the constitutionality of how the state kills inmates, and whether or not the method being used— known as the "three-drug cocktail" — adequately protects the condemned from undue pain and suffering.

The New York Times

FOS is supposed to rush claims to the top of the pile where the claimant is suffering undue financial hardship, which given that you are not working you should be able to argue.

The Guardian - Money

They are maddeningly delicate and thus difficult to print but Dr Shu and his colleagues have built a printer that can overcome this using nozzles fitted with small valves gentle enough to stop the cells suffering undue stress as they move through them.

The Economist

This article provides for the undertaking of humanitarian "relief actions" (with the consent of the concerned state party) in the event that the "civilian population is suffering undue hardship owing to a lack of the supplies essential for its survival" (Article 18, para 2).

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Still, Omid was confident they'd be able to visit him by receiving a special waiver for applicants suffering undue hardship or whose presence might serve the national interest.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical considerations, use "undue suffering" to denote suffering that exceeds acceptable or justifiable limits. For example, laws often aim to prevent "undue suffering" in animals during research or in end-of-life care.

Common error

Avoid using "undue suffering" in overly emotional or subjective contexts where simpler terms like "pain" or "distress" might be more appropriate. "Undue suffering" often implies a more formal or objective assessment of the suffering's justification or extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue suffering" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "undue" modifies the noun "suffering". It specifies the extent or appropriateness of the suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue suffering" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe suffering that is excessive, inappropriate, or not justifiable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. When writing, remember that the phrase is most effective when discussing legal, ethical, or medical situations. Related phrases include "unjustified suffering" and "unnecessary suffering". Avoid overuse in purely emotional contexts. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively and appropriately use "undue suffering" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustified suffering

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the suffering.

unnecessary suffering

Highlights the avoidability of the suffering.

avoidable suffering

Focuses on the possibility of preventing the suffering.

excessive suffering

Stresses the disproportionate amount of suffering.

inordinate suffering

Implies that the suffering is beyond what is reasonable or normal.

unwarranted suffering

Highlights the lack of reason or cause for the suffering.

gratuitous suffering

Suggests the suffering is uncalled for and excessive.

needless suffering

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the suffering.

disproportionate suffering

Indicates an imbalance between cause and suffering.

extreme suffering

Highlights the intensity and severity of the suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue suffering" to describe situations where pain or distress is considered excessive or unjustified, such as "The investigation aimed to determine if the animals were subjected to "undue suffering" during the experiment".

What phrases can I use instead of "undue suffering"?

Alternatives to "undue suffering" include phrases like "unjustified suffering", "unnecessary suffering", or "excessive suffering", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unnecessary suffering" instead of "undue suffering"?

While both phrases are similar, "unnecessary suffering" emphasizes that the suffering could have been avoided, whereas "undue suffering" implies that the suffering exceeds what is appropriate or justifiable in a given situation. They are often interchangeable but carry slightly different connotations.

What is the difference between "suffering" and "undue suffering"?

"Suffering" generally refers to the experience of pain or distress. Adding "undue" specifies that the suffering is excessive, unwarranted, or exceeds acceptable limits. It suggests a judgment about the appropriateness or necessity of the suffering.