undue time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time that is excessive or inappropriate in a given context. Example: "The committee took undue time to reach a decision, causing delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Heads want flexibility but they have no wish to spend undue time with their governing bodies calculating grades and salaries when they should be focused on teaching and learning," he said.

BBC

Most GPs stated that both tympanometry and pneumatic otoscopy could assist in diagnosis of OM without creating an undue time burden within the consultation, however, this did not translate into a strong intention to use the techniques in the future.

BMC Family Practice

Every therapeutic decision that is not aimed at averting imminent danger to the life and health of the child should be weighed carefully without undue time constraints, given due consideration to different options and be reviewed scrupulously in consultation between members of the multidisciplinary health-care team and the parents.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Notice if any tools or utensils seem flimsy, worn, or if any task seems to require undue time or effort.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The objective is to maximize the overall rate of processing these files, by sharing scans of the same file as aggressively as possible, without imposing undue wait time on individual jobs.

Stanford University

"Under the current circumstances where our state needs a strong voice in Washington on so many different issues," Mr. Quinn said, "I don't think it's in the public interest or the common good to have a U.S. senator who has to spend an undue amount of time going over and over matters with respect to how he obtained the office".

The New York Times

Reform opponents went bonkers, and the media spent an undue amount of time demonstrating how little they knew about the legislative process.

Huffington Post

More recently, another US gymnastics Olympian faced undue criticism, this time it was Gabby Douglas taking flack on Twitter for not putting her hand over her heart during the US national anthem after WINNING A GOLD MEDAL.

Vice

I small part of me squeals with undue joy every time I see a young starlet emerge on the red carpet or the stage in some tech-inspired, futuristic duds (see: Katy Perry, Fergie, and Nicole Scherzinger's Twitter dress).

Vice

For while the classical sensibility that Dr Johnson represented involved an, at times, undue respect for the authority of sense, the coming Romantic sensibility that Wilkes heralded involved, above all, a hypersensitivity to the accidents of sensation.

BBC

Income share agreements, or ISAs, conceived in the 1950s and recently made famous through Purdue's Back a Boiler program, now offer graduates flexibility: Payment obligations scale with a graduate's ability to pay, preventing undue burden during times of financial hardship.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undue time", ensure the context clearly indicates why the time spent is considered excessive or inappropriate. For instance, specify the task or activity that is taking longer than expected.

Common error

Avoid using "undue time" without explaining the reason for the perceived excess. Saying "The process took undue time" is less effective than "The process took undue time due to bureaucratic delays."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue time" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement, describing a period considered excessive or inappropriate. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undue time" is a grammatically sound way to describe an excessive or inappropriate duration. Though somewhat uncommon, it is readily understood and appears in reputable sources like the BBC and The New York Times. As Ludwig AI states, it's perfectly usable in written English. When using "undue time", remember to provide context to clarify why the time is considered excessive. Consider alternatives such as "excessive time" or "unreasonable time" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive time

Emphasizes the quantity of time being more than necessary.

unreasonable time

Highlights that the duration is not justifiable or fair.

inordinate time

Suggests the time is beyond what is usual or proper.

disproportionate time

Indicates the time spent is not in balance with the importance or value of the task.

unwarranted time

Focuses on the lack of justification for the time spent.

gratuitous time

Highlights that the time spent was unnecessary and uncalled for.

superfluous time

Suggests the time was more than sufficient to achieve the intended outcome.

needless time

Indicates that the time spent could have been avoided.

undeserved time

Implies the time spent was not earned or merited.

unjustifiable time

Highlights that there is no reasonable defense for the time spent.

FAQs

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

You can use "undue time" to describe situations where an excessive or inappropriate amount of time is spent on something. For example: "The investigation took "undue time", leading to public frustration."

What are some alternatives to "undue time"?

Some alternatives include "excessive time", "unreasonable time", and "inordinate time".

Is it better to say "undue amount of time" or "undue time"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "undue time" is more concise. "Undue amount of time" may be preferred for emphasis, but "undue time" is generally sufficient.

What is the difference between "undue time" and "unnecessary time"?

"Undue time" implies that the time spent was more than necessary or appropriate, while "unnecessary time" suggests the time spent was completely avoidable. The choice depends on whether the time could have been reduced (undue) or eliminated entirely (unnecessary).