unduly big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly big" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively large or more than what is considered reasonable or appropriate. Example: "The unduly big suitcase made it difficult for her to navigate through the crowded airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But options, it turned out, encouraged managers to take unduly big risks, as long as they showed handsome short-term profits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Last year, the Turkish football federation removed the clause, arguing that it was unfair to punish clubs for the sins of individuals and that the league and economy would suffer unduly if big clubs like Fenerbahce – estimated to be supported by over one third of Turkey – were not there.

Independent

And so here we have, inevitably, a handsome if not unduly demanding big-screen adaptation, directed by Vincent Pérez (still best known as an actor, although this is his third feature credit as director), and starring Brendan Gleeson and Emma Thompson as the Quangels, the dour, unhappy couple who channel their misery at the death of their son into their small acts of subversion.

The Guardian - Film

Both inferior angles are unduly prominent.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

It seems highly unlikely that the latest investigation, carried out by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will unduly concern the big four.

The Guardian - Business

That in itself will not worry Chelsea unduly – they are big enough to take a hit – but the damage to Mourinho's reputation could be significant.

The Guardian - Sport

Many conservatives are skeptical of such programs, concerned they are expensive and may unduly increase the influence of big government on families and children.

Huffington Post

77 min: It's all Blackpool at the minute but I'm not sure Big Sam will be unduly concerned.

The Guardian - Sport

On the other hand, all company stock prices in our screen have failed to beat their industry's aggregate stock performance over the same period, suggesting they may have unduly suffered from investor distaste for big-caps.

Forbes

Devvarman, the world No 64, is a competent ball-striker but did not have a big enough game to trouble Murray unduly.

Independent

That is the big question and it would be unduly cynical simply to dismiss last night's wholesome event as an aberration in hard times.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unduly big" when you want to suggest that something is not just large, but inappropriately or excessively so. The phrase carries a connotation of something being out of proportion or exceeding reasonable limits.

Common error

Avoid using "unduly big" when a more neutral term like "large" or "significant" would suffice. The word "unduly" adds a layer of judgment, implying that the size is problematic or unwarranted. For example, when you can just say "big suitcase" avoid saying "unduly big suitcase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly big" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun. The adverb "unduly" intensifies the adjective "big", suggesting that the size is excessive or inappropriate. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unduly big" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to describe something that is excessively large or significant, often implying a negative judgment or concern. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly frequent, it appears in diverse sources, particularly in news and media, where it adds a layer of nuanced critique. Consider alternatives like "excessively large" or "unreasonably big" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. Avoid overusing it where a simpler "big" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively large

Replaces "unduly" with "excessively", emphasizing the degree of largeness.

unreasonably large

Substitutes "unduly" with "unreasonably", highlighting the lack of justification for the size.

disproportionately large

Replaces "unduly" with "disproportionately", focusing on the imbalance in size relative to something else.

inordinately large

Uses "inordinately" instead of "unduly", conveying a sense of exceeding normal bounds.

overly large

Replaces "unduly" with "overly", indicating an excess in size.

excessively significant

Shifts the focus from size to significance, using "excessively" to emphasize the degree.

unwarrantedly large

Replaces "unduly" with "unwarrantedly", suggesting the largeness is not justified.

gratuitously large

Uses "gratuitously" instead of "unduly", implying the largeness is unnecessary or uncalled for.

needlessly large

Replaces "unduly" with "needlessly", highlighting the lack of necessity for the size.

unjustifiably large

Substitutes "unduly" with "unjustifiably", emphasizing that the large size cannot be defended.

FAQs

How can I use "unduly big" in a sentence?

The phrase "unduly big" suggests that something is excessively or inappropriately large. For example, "The company faced criticism for its unduly big marketing budget during a recession".

What are some alternatives to saying "unduly big"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "excessively large", "unreasonably big", or "disproportionately large".

Is "unduly big" a formal or informal expression?

"Unduly big" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. While not overly technical, the use of "unduly" adds a layer of sophistication compared to simply saying "very big".

When is it appropriate to use "unduly big" instead of "very big"?

Use "unduly big" when you want to emphasize that something is not only large but also excessive, unwarranted, or problematic in its size. "Very big" is a more neutral descriptor, while "unduly big" implies a negative judgment about the size.