overly/unduly

Question

Hello,This is probably a pathetic question, but I will go ahead and ask it, just to make sure. I can't see any difference between these two, can you? An example: "She was overly/unduly worried about the exam, but she passed it." They both suggest to me she was frantically worried, but she aced it.Thank you

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Gene93I can't see any difference between these two, can you?

Of course, and so can you. One version has 'overly'; the other has 'unduly'.

To me the version with 'overly' says 'more worried than she should have been'; the version with 'unduly' says 'more worried than she needed to be, given that she was well prepared, as far as I could see'. Others may have other opinions.

I don't see anything in the sentence that would cause me to apply the word 'frantic' nor the word 'aced' to the situation, so I'm assuming that you are counting subtle differences as no differences at all. If you think 'passed' means 'aced', then 'overly', 'unduly', 'too', and 'very' all probably count as "the same" for you as well.

What constitutes a difference depends on on how finely you slice and dice the concepts. That in mind, there are some differences here, and there are also no differences.

CJ

Gene93 · Answer

Okay, fair enough

. Than she should have been vs than she needed to be. I see a small difference, yes. It might be small, but it exists. I probably sound like a nit-picker. It is "should" vs "need"

.

As for "aced", well, it just came to me. Did she? Did she not? I have no idea. She just passed the exam and that's what counts, but I am trying to focus on the adverbs, not her score/grade. Having said that, I know that "pass" and "ace" are different. When I am overly worried, I am frantic with worry. Personal preference?

Fine enough?

CalifJim · Answer

Gene93Fine enough?

Fine enough.

Gene93Personal preference?

As always.

CJ

Gene93 · Answer

Time to bag it and tag it.

overly/unduly

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