unduly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly difficult" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something is excessively or unfairly challenging or demanding. Example: The new math curriculum is unduly difficult for third graders, causing many of them to struggle and lose interest in the subject.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This is not unduly difficult; Kirgizstan, Armenia and Togo have all managed it.

The Economist

Voter ID laws must strike a balance between preventing voter fraud and not making it unduly difficult to vote.

The New York Times

Implementing the video, audio, communication and game play calculations on the same microcontroller would likely have been unduly difficult or downright impossible.

Cornell University

In the old days of crime reporting this was commonplace and it was not unduly difficult to strike a balance between keeping the public informed without endangering investigations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The official justification for the legislation — debunked in expert testimony — is that rules on disclosure, accounting and auditing make it unduly difficult for new companies to raise money by issuing stock.

The New York Times

Some owners have complained that putting the robot together is unduly difficult, and the company tacitly acknowledged as much with video tutorials intended to help users through the hourslong assembly process.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Kahol had noted that despite the similarities between medical devices in their computer displays and circuits, their packaging made them unduly complex and difficult for anyone but highly skilled practitioners to use.

TechCrunch

He added, "They all, in their different ways, validate the intention of the archive to preserve the mystery of poetry while tearing away some of the prejudices which can make it appear unduly 'difficult' or separate from familiar life".

The New York Times

While some theoretical rationale supports such strategies, what results are unduly complicated models that are often difficult to interpret, and do not address substantive significance.

Crime Science

It can also be argued that his demands on England weakened the realm unduly and that Richard left his successor a very difficult legacy.

Britannica

Yet the Court has never thought it would unduly interfere with the operation of the Legislative Branch to entertain difficult and important questions as to the extent of the legislative power.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unduly difficult", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the difficulty is considered excessive or inappropriate. This strengthens your argument and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unduly" excessively across your writing, as it can dilute its impact. Save it for situations where the degree of difficulty genuinely warrants emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly difficult" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the degree to which something is challenging, suggesting it is excessively or inappropriately so. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and provides examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

27%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unduly difficult" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something excessively or inappropriately challenging. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as an intensifier, modifying an adjective and expressing criticism about the level of difficulty. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, making it suitable for formal and professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly shows why the difficulty is considered excessive to strengthen your argument. Related alternatives include "excessively challenging", "overly complicated", and "unnecessarily hard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively challenging

Focuses on the degree of challenge, implying it's beyond what's reasonable.

overly complicated

Highlights the complexity as the source of the difficulty.

unnecessarily hard

Suggests the difficulty could be avoided, implying poor design or planning.

impossibly demanding

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the demands, bordering on the unachievable.

unreasonably tough

Indicates the level of toughness is beyond what is fair or justified.

unduly burdensome

Shifts the focus to the oppressive or taxing nature of the difficulty.

exceedingly intricate

Similar to 'overly complicated' but can imply something is elegant even in its complexity.

needlessly complex

Synonymous with 'unnecessarily hard' but uses more formal vocabulary.

particularly arduous

Emphasizes the effort required, suggesting a long and strenuous process.

exceptionally taxing

Highlights the depleting or draining aspect of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "unduly difficult" to describe tasks, processes, or situations that are excessively challenging. For example, "The new software's interface is "unduly difficult" for novice users".

What phrases are similar to "unduly difficult"?

Alternatives include "excessively challenging", "overly complicated", or "unnecessarily hard". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "too difficult" or "unduly difficult"?

"Unduly difficult" implies that the difficulty is excessive or unjustified, while "too difficult" simply indicates a high degree of difficulty. Use "unduly difficult" when you want to express that the difficulty is inappropriate or unfair.

What's the difference between "unduly difficult" and "unnecessarily difficult"?

"Unduly difficult" suggests the difficulty is excessive or disproportionate, while "unnecessarily difficult" implies the difficulty could be avoided. The phrase "unnecessarily difficult" focuses on the avoidability of the problem.