unduly reliant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly reliant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is excessively dependent on another person or thing, often implying that this dependence is inappropriate or unwarranted. Example: "The company has become unduly reliant on a single supplier, which poses a risk to its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's a war waged over government oversight that's unduly reliant on industry research favoring corporations and undermining public trust.

The New York Times - Science

Consider whether they have the resources to provide informed and tailored advice specific to portfolio companies or are unduly reliant on a set of fairly rigid voting guidelines.

Harvard University

PwC's report says fortunes in the so-called Brics emerging economies are diverging: China's economy appears robust, it reports, while Brazil is said to be suffering a debt hangover, India to be slow to open its markets, Russia unduly reliant on commodity exports and South Africa impeded by regulation.

The Guardian - Business

In the 1990s, grassroots governments were unduly reliant on rural taxes and surcharges (santi wutong) for government expenditures, despite being warned numerous times by the central state.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

THE planners have hit on a new way to diversify Venezuela's unduly oil-reliant economy: open the country's largest forest reserve not just to logging but to mining.The Sierra Imataca reserve, 37,000 square kilometres (14,300 square miles) of rainforest near the Guyanese border, is home to rare fauna and plants.

The Economist

Unduly targeted?

The New Yorker

That looks unduly pessimistic.

The Economist

Some say unduly so.

The New York Times

That seems unduly pessimistic.

The Economist

This was unduly painful.

The Economist

This is unduly alarmist.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unduly reliant", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the reliance is problematic. Specify the potential negative consequences or risks associated with this dependence.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "unduly reliant" without explaining why it's excessive or inappropriate. Provide context to demonstrate the negative implications of this reliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly reliant" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is excessively or inappropriately dependent on something else. Ludwig provides examples of its use in contexts such as government oversight and economic diversification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unduly reliant" is used to describe situations where something is excessively or inappropriately dependent on something else. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, indicating that it is employed in contexts ranging from government oversight to economic assessments. While "unduly reliant" is not particularly common, it carries a critical tone, suggesting that the reliance in question is problematic. Related phrases include "overly dependent" and "excessively reliant", each offering slightly different nuances. When using "unduly reliant", be sure to justify why the reliance is considered excessive or inappropriate to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unduly dependent

Replaces "reliant" with its synonym "dependent", maintaining the original meaning.

overly dependent

Focuses more directly on the excessive nature of the dependence.

excessively reliant

Emphasizes the degree of reliance as being beyond what is reasonable.

inappropriately dependent

Highlights the unsuitability or inappropriateness of the dependence.

over-reliant

A more concise way to express the same concept.

too dependent

A simpler, more direct way of saying the reliance is excessive.

disproportionately reliant

Suggests the reliance is out of proportion to what is balanced or fair.

overly inclined

Implies a strong tendency to depend on something, perhaps to an unhealthy degree.

excessively inclined

Implies a strong tendency to depend on something, perhaps to an unhealthy degree.

over-subscribing to

Suggests an excessive and potentially risky reliance on something.

FAQs

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

Use "unduly reliant" to describe situations where dependence on something is excessive or inappropriate, such as: "The company became unduly reliant on a single client, increasing its financial risk."

What are some alternatives to "unduly reliant"?

You can use alternatives like "overly dependent", "excessively reliant", or "inappropriately dependent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "unduly" mean in the context of "unduly reliant"?

In this context, "unduly" means excessively, inappropriately, or unjustifiably. It suggests that the reliance is beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

Is there a difference between "unduly reliant" and "overly dependent"?

While similar, "unduly reliant" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of something being not only excessive but also potentially problematic or unjustified. "Overly dependent" is a more generic term for excessive reliance.