unduly conservative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly conservative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an approach, opinion, or policy that is excessively cautious or traditional, often in a context where more progressive or innovative ideas might be appropriate. Example: "The committee's recommendations were criticized for being unduly conservative, failing to address the urgent need for reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Current international steel specifications are unduly conservative when estimating the bending strength of these sections as the yield moment.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Unduly conservative design or under estimation may pose poor results and lead to an undesirable increase in the well cost and may be significant in challenging wells.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

And although critics complained at first that his repertory was unduly conservative, he threw himself into contemporary works, including many composed for him and his orchestra.

The New York Times - Arts

It is now largely accepted that this way of doing is unduly conservative, especially in those cases in which an unpiled raft is sufficient to guarantee a satisfactory safety level.

Procedia Engineering

Based on the obtained test results, the current design provisions of EN 1993-1-4 [1] for these types of cross-sections were assessed and found to be unduly conservative.

Structures

In the case of fuel facilities or reactor core designs as well as in the case of emergency shut-down system calculations keff overestimation may lead to an unduly conservative approach.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Ren Cheng, chief investment officer for Fidelity's global asset allocation group, said he believed Fidelity had received a bad grade for risk because PlanSponsor had used a benchmarking system that unduly rewarded conservative investing.

The New York Times

The panel will consider whether the five allowed the school to be unduly influenced by conservative Islamists.

The Guardian

It does nothing to fix the problem of a divided Britain, in which FPTP leaves the left artificially dominant in Scotland and Wales, and the Conservatives unduly dominant in England.

The Economist

It does nothing to fix the problem of a divided Britain, in which FPTP leaves the left artificially dominant in Scotland and Wales, and the Conservatives unduly dominant in England.Most damagingly to supporters of AV for it undermines their core argument it would not even stop MPs being elected by a minority of votes cast.

The Economist

Critics like Mr Cowen and Greg Mankiw, an economist at Harvard University, argue that his recommendations are motivated by ideology more than economics".Capital" does give unduly short shrift to conservative concerns.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a plan or approach as "unduly conservative", provide specific examples of how it could be more innovative or effective. Support your claim with evidence to demonstrate the benefits of alternative approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "unduly conservative" repeatedly in the same document. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "overly cautious" or "excessively traditional" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly conservative" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective, where "unduly" intensifies the degree to which something is conservative. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to express a critical assessment of an approach or viewpoint, suggesting it is excessively cautious.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unduly conservative" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something excessively cautious or traditional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. It serves to critically evaluate a plan, approach, or viewpoint, suggesting that it is overly restrained and potentially impeding progress. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide specific examples to support your assessment, and consider synonyms such as "overly cautious" or "excessively traditional" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly cautious

Focuses specifically on excessive caution.

excessively traditional

Highlights the adherence to traditional practices.

overly restrained

Emphasizes a lack of boldness or innovation.

needlessly cautious

Suggests the caution is not warranted by the situation.

unnecessarily cautious

Similar to 'needlessly cautious', indicating a lack of necessity.

excessively prudent

Highlights being overly careful and avoiding risks.

too risk-averse

Directly addresses the avoidance of risk.

unadventurous

Emphasizes a lack of willingness to try new things.

playing it too safe

An idiomatic expression for avoiding risks.

sticking to the old ways

Highlights clinging to established methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "unduly conservative" to describe an approach or opinion that is excessively cautious or traditional. For example, "The committee's recommendations were criticized for being unduly conservative, failing to address the urgent need for reform."

What are some alternatives to saying "unduly conservative"?

You can use alternatives like "overly cautious", "excessively traditional", or "overly restrained" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "unduly conservative" and "conservative"?

"Conservative" simply means favoring traditional views and values, while "unduly conservative" implies that this conservatism is excessive or inappropriate for the situation. The addition of "unduly" adds a critical dimension.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "unduly conservative"?

It's appropriate when you believe that an approach or policy is too cautious and is hindering progress or innovation. It suggests that a bolder or more forward-thinking approach would be more beneficial.