I was shouldering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was shouldering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of carrying a burden or responsibility, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "I was shouldering the weight of my family's expectations during the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once during a disagreement with my husband, I complained that he wasn't helping enough with our daughter, and I gave him a long list of the parenting chores I was shouldering on my own.

The New York Times

But I didn't realize what was happening: I was shouldering all the debts, while he was keeping the assets.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They let my partner into the middle of the street and I was shouldered to the side, a police officer asked for my legal status, I said "I'm an Australian journalist" and within seconds it all went to chaos.

Huffington Post

I was shoulder-deep, slamming at something — a window frame, shattered mullions and teeth of glass — when the cell in my right front pocket began to ring.

The New Yorker

The guys I was shoulder-to-shoulder with last week in Las Vegas.

Huffington Post

Walking over that night from the main stage I was shoulder to shoulder with people who were coming to the tent to see them.

Los Angeles Times

I am shoulder robing the jacket.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For 20 years," he added, "she and I were shoulder to shoulder on the same side of the barricade".

The New York Times

In the brief moments that a female friend and I were shoulder to muscular shoulder with "The Stath", we found ourselves reduced to a mixture of coy blushes and out-and-out lechery.

Independent

Even if I were able to get to the water's edge, I'd be shoulder-to-shoulder with other anglers.

The New York Times - Sports

"Last year, I was injured (shoulder) and I was out a long time and [Hector] Bellerin played well.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was shouldering" when you want to emphasize that you were personally bearing a burden or responsibility, especially when others may not have been contributing equally.

Common error

While "I was shouldering" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "I undertook" or "I assumed responsibility for" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was shouldering" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, specifically utilizing the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action of bearing a burden or responsibility. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is often used to express the act of carrying or supporting something, whether literal or figurative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was shouldering" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of bearing responsibility or a burden in the past. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily found in neutral contexts like news and media, it can be useful in informal settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "I undertook" or "I assumed responsibility for". Remember to employ this phrase when emphasizing personal responsibility during demanding or unfair situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I shouldered the responsibility

More formal version using 'responsibility'

I bore

Emphasizes carrying a weight or responsibility, simpler wording

I carried

Focuses on the act of physically or metaphorically carrying a burden

I undertook

Highlights the initiative to take on a task or responsibility

I handled

Suggests managing or dealing with a situation or task

I managed

Focuses on successfully controlling or dealing with something challenging

I assumed responsibility for

Formal way to express taking on duties or obligations

I took on

Suggests accepting additional duties or problems

I took the weight upon myself

Emphasizes the burden being taken on personally

I accepted

Implies willingly taking on a role or duty

FAQs

What does "I was shouldering" mean?

It means that you were bearing the weight of responsibility or the burden of a task, often implying that the load was significant or unfairly distributed.

What are some alternatives to "I was shouldering"?

You can use alternatives like "I bore", "I carried", or "I undertook" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "I was shouldering" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I was shouldering" is better suited for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider phrases like "I assumed responsibility for" or "I undertook".

How can I use "I was shouldering" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe taking on a task or burden, such as, "I was shouldering all the debts while he was keeping the assets."