unduly short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unduly short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively or unreasonably brief, often in a context where length is expected or required. Example: "The report was unduly short, lacking the necessary details to support the conclusions drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

His second ball was back of a length but not unduly short and certainly not sufficiently so for Cook to try to pull.

The Guardian - Sport

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

Based on discussions with care workers and service users, and observing homecare services at work, it was clear that unduly short visits meant workers are not able to carry out their duties with compassion.

The Guardian

Books, paintings and other products of hard work by creative people often seem to have an unduly short life; a novel remaindered after selling fewer than 1000 copies or the tragedy that Vincent Van Gogh never lived to know of even of a fraction of his fame.

The Guardian

Always contact your doctor if you're not getting better after a few days, if you're unduly short of breath or if you're coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.

BBC

Pulmonary hypertension should be suspected in any child who is unduly short of breath, tires easily or is syncopal when there is no evidence of heart or lung disease.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The next steps must include easing Greece's unduly onerous short-term fiscal targets so the labor market and the structural reforms to which Athens has committed can generate vibrant growth.

The New York Times

As long term investors, fiduciaries of endowments need not worry unduly about short-term results.

Huffington Post

Check your notice is not unduly long or short.

The Guardian

The sight of Lee striding in has always been one of the great spectacles of cricket, and age appears not to have diminished his pace unduly in the short forms of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

He was not unduly preoccupied with short-term setbacks and gains.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unduly short", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard of length is being violated. Provide context about why the shortness is problematic.

Common error

Avoid using "unduly short" to describe something that is simply concise or efficient. Reserve it for situations where the shortness negatively impacts the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unduly short" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "short". It describes something that is excessively or inappropriately brief, indicating a deficiency in length relative to expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unduly short" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is excessively brief, often to a problematic degree. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for formal writing across multiple domains. While not overly common, it effectively conveys disapproval or concern about the inadequate length of something. When using "unduly short", be sure to provide adequate context to clearly establish the violated standard of length and consider alternatives like "excessively brief" or "unreasonably brief".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unduly brief

A synonym where 'brief' is a direct replacement for 'short'.

excessively brief

Emphasizes the excessive nature of the brevity.

unreasonably brief

Highlights the lack of justification for the shortness.

unacceptably short

Focuses on the unacceptability of the brevity.

inappropriately concise

Suggests the brevity is not suitable for the situation.

disproportionately brief

Implies an imbalance in the length relative to expectations.

too brief

A simpler, more direct way to express the same sentiment.

insufficiently long

Expresses the inadequacy of the length from the opposite perspective.

unduly limited

Focuses on the restricted or constrained nature of something.

unnecessarily abbreviated

Implies the shortening was not required or beneficial.

FAQs

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

Use "unduly short" to describe something that is excessively or unreasonably brief, especially when the brevity is problematic. For example, "The presentation was "unduly short", failing to cover key aspects of the project."

What are some alternatives to "unduly short"?

You can use alternatives such as "excessively brief", "unreasonably brief", or "inappropriately concise", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say something is "unduly short"?

While "short" itself implies brevity, "unduly short" emphasizes that the brevity is excessive or inappropriate in a given context. It is not necessarily redundant if you want to stress this aspect.

What's the difference between "unduly short" and "too short"?

"Too short" simply indicates that something is insufficient in length. "Unduly short" carries a stronger connotation, suggesting that the brevity is unwarranted, problematic, or has negative consequences. It implies a standard or expectation has not been met.