unduly narrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly narrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively limited or restricted in scope or perspective. Example: "The committee's definition of the project was unduly narrow, excluding many important factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Our previous policy was unduly narrow and limited our ability to act on certain kinds of threatening behavior.

The Guardian - Tech

It may be time to admit that the present, unduly narrow, approach to inflation targeting also has its limitations.

The Economist

The second mistake that the appeals court made — one that many supporters of gun rights may concede — was its unduly narrow view of what constitutes a "reasonable" law.

The New York Times

Congress, Justice Ginsburg said, should amend Title VII to fix this problem as it did five years ago, when it overturned another unduly narrow interpretation of the statute in the Lilly Ledbetter case.

The New York Times

Real disagreements remain, not least over Mr. Pataki's unduly narrow definition of the pool of defendants eligible for diversion from prison, the scope of retroactivity and his clunky system for allowing judicial overrides when district attorneys deny certain defendants the drug treatment option.

The New York Times

It has been objected that these moral deceptionist definitions are unduly narrow and restrictive (Bok 1978).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

His many small-shouldered jackets with narrow collars may seem unduly prim.

The New York Times

The committee appointed by the Prime Minister to enquire into the position on natural science in educational system of Great Britain Thomson Committeee) criticized the situation of science teaching in the early twentieth century; "the customary course has become too narrow the choice of subject matter is unduly restricted.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Narrow tailoring, therefore, requires that a race-conscious admissions program not unduly harm members of any racial group.

The New York Times

Current zoning does not differentiate between wide and narrow streets, and some residents say the rules allow overbuilding on narrow streets while unduly limiting development on wide ones.

The New York Times

Unduly targeted?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unduly narrow", consider the specific aspect being limited and whether a more precise term would strengthen your writing. For example, "The scope of the study was unduly narrow, focusing only on urban populations."

Common error

Avoid using "unduly narrow" as a generic criticism. Instead, clarify why something is too narrow. For example, instead of saying "The policy is unduly narrow", specify what aspects are insufficiently addressed: "The policy is unduly narrow, failing to account for diverse socio-economic backgrounds."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly narrow" functions as an adjective modifier, typically describing a noun. It indicates that something is inappropriately or excessively limited in scope, breadth, or perspective. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unduly narrow" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is inappropriately limited in scope or perspective. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts to critique policies, interpretations, and analyses. While alternatives like "excessively limited" or "overly confined" exist, "unduly narrow" specifically suggests that the limitation is unjustifiable or inappropriate. When using this phrase, ensure you specify why something is too narrow to avoid generic criticism. By understanding its proper usage and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate your concerns about limitations in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unduly restrictive

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the restrictive aspect.

excessively limited

Emphasizes the extreme degree of limitation.

unreasonably restricted

Highlights the lack of justification for the restriction.

overly confined

Suggests a space or scope that is too limited.

inappropriately limited

Indicates the limitation is unsuitable for the context.

unjustifiably tight

Highlights the lack of a fair reason for the narrowness.

needlessly constricted

Suggests the narrowness is unnecessary.

excessively circumscribed

Emphasizes the act of drawing a limiting line too closely.

disproportionately small

Focuses on the inadequate size relative to expectations.

inordinately confined

Suggests that the limits are beyond reasonable bounds.

FAQs

How to use "unduly narrow" in a sentence?

You can use "unduly narrow" to describe a perspective, definition, or scope that is excessively limited. For example, "The court's interpretation of the law was "unduly narrow", failing to consider the broader context."

What can I say instead of "unduly narrow"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively limited", "unreasonably restricted", or "overly confined" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unduly narrow" or "excessively narrow"?

Both "unduly narrow" and "excessively narrow" are correct. "Unduly" suggests something is inappropriately or unjustifiably narrow, while "excessively" simply implies that it's beyond a reasonable limit. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "unduly narrow" and "unduly restrictive"?

"Unduly narrow" refers to the scope or breadth of something, while "unduly restrictive" refers to the degree to which something limits freedom or action. A definition can be "unduly narrow", while a policy can be "unduly restrictive".