a bit onerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit onerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat burdensome or difficult to manage. Example: "The new regulations are a bit onerous for small businesses trying to comply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The buy-in required to own it is also a bit onerous.

TechCrunch

The need to edit later is a bit onerous but support for Twitter/text messaging keeps LoveThis feeling spontaneous, mobile and real-time.

TechCrunch

The prospect of this may be alarming to some and given that the Basis and many other health bands already offer optical heart rate scanning, it's even a bit onerous.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I think it's a little bit onerous, I mean $100, come on, that doesn't even buy you gas these days," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

But if reform included simplification, the task might become a bit less onerous.

The New York Times

Other companies' account requirements are a bit less onerous, but still require customers to have made a number of trades and have a substantial sum of money in their accounts.

BBC

She finds diplomatic receptions "a bit more onerous than sleeping in a bamboo hut for a week".

Huffington Post

"A lot of students that find themselves in this situation are also dealing with very high-stress situations, and while the process isn't impossible to go through, it is a bit of onerous ordeal," Hoilett said, noting that the procedure to become financially independent before the mature student age of 22 is more difficult than it needs to be.

Vice

The pictures are, as has become traditional in photographs of Cameron on holiday or weekenders, relaxing from his onerous responsibilities, a bit embarrassing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Regulation is less onerous than people's fears, so you're seeing a bit of a relief rally in the financials today, which obviously is helping," Michael James, senior trader at Wedbush Morgan in Los Angeles, said.

The New York Times

"While the upload process can be a bit time consuming, that's a small one-time price to pay for sidestepping expensive licensing bills and onerous restrictions.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit onerous" to express a mild degree of burden or difficulty. It's suitable when you want to downplay the severity of the situation while still acknowledging it's not completely easy.

Common error

While "a bit onerous" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. More precise or sophisticated language might be more appropriate depending on the register of your work. Consider alternatives like "somewhat taxing" or "moderately burdensome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit onerous" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. According to Ludwig, it describes the degree to which something is burdensome, indicating a mild or slight imposition. This contrasts with stronger terms that would imply a greater level of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit onerous" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is mildly burdensome or difficult. According to Ludwig, the phrase appears in varied contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news and media, and science publications. While acceptable in many settings, remember that in very formal writing, there may be better alternatives depending on the specific situation. The phrase strikes a balance between acknowledging difficulty and avoiding exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly burdensome

Replaces "a bit" with "slightly", changing the degree of burden.

Somewhat taxing

Substitutes "onerous" with "taxing", focusing on the demanding aspect.

A little troublesome

Replaces "onerous" with "troublesome", highlighting the potential for problems.

Kind of difficult

Uses a more informal expression to convey the difficulty.

Marginally challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature, but only to a small degree.

Somewhat demanding

Focuses on the demanding nature of the situation.

A touch difficult

Emphasizes the slight degree of difficulty.

A shade burdensome

Uses "shade" to describe the extent of the burden.

Slightly cumbersome

Implies a degree of awkwardness or inconvenience.

A mite inconvenient

Focuses on the inconvenience caused, though only slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit onerous" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit onerous" to describe tasks, rules, or situations that are somewhat burdensome or difficult. For example: "The application process was "a bit onerous", but worth it in the end."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit onerous"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slightly burdensome", "somewhat taxing", or "a little troublesome", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a bit onerous" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a bit onerous" might be considered informal for certain academic or professional contexts. More formal options like "moderately burdensome" or "somewhat demanding" may be more suitable. However, the choice depends on your specific purpose and audience.

What's the difference between "a bit onerous" and "very onerous"?

"A bit onerous" implies a mild degree of burden or difficulty, whereas "very onerous" indicates a significantly heavier burden. The choice depends on the intensity you want to express. For example, "very onerous" is stronger than the main query.