a heavier burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavier burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or responsibility that is more difficult or demanding than another. Example: "After taking on additional responsibilities at work, I feel like I have a heavier burden to carry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That puts a heavier burden on social scientists.

The New York Times - Arts

• Outside of the underachieving Dominican Republic, no team carries a heavier burden.

The New York Times - Sports

This places a heavier burden on the federal government, which has yet to measure up.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the troubles are quickly moving to commercial real estate loans, which will place a heavier burden on smaller lenders.

The New York Times

The basic calculus of expensive oil still holds: exporters enjoy a windfall and importers bear a heavier burden.

The New York Times

In these circumstances, countries like the United States and Britain will simply have to carry a heavier burden than others.

The New York Times

Mr Bisegna thinks this is a "disappointing compromise" since it will put a heavier burden on industry.

The Economist

F. Scott Fitzgerald's slender, charming third novel has accumulated a heavier burden of cultural significance than it can easily bear.

The New York Times

But he acknowledged that if the computing and services businesses were not strengthened by the merger, the printer division could be left struggling to support a heavier burden.

The New York Times

Three years later, he is a better player, and he believed that Mickelson might feel a heavier burden in his quest to win his first major.

The New York Times - Sports

But the documents suggest pilots who say they are too tired to work place a heavier burden on those still flying.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a heavier burden", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the increased difficulty or responsibility. This provides clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavier burden" without specifying the source of the increased difficulty. Failure to do so can leave the reader confused about the actual problem or challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavier burden" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'carry', 'place', 'shoulder') or as a complement to a preposition. It describes an increased or intensified difficulty, responsibility, or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and common in use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavier burden" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that signifies an increase in difficulty, responsibility, or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears predominantly in news and media, with notable presence in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the cause of the increased difficulty. Alternatives include "a greater responsibility" or "an increased workload", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater responsibility

Focuses on the increase in responsibility rather than the difficulty.

a bigger load to bear

Uses a metaphor of carrying a heavy load.

an increased workload

Highlights the increase in the amount of work required.

a more significant weight

Uses a metaphorical weight to represent the difficulty.

a challenging responsibility

Emphasizes the difficulty of the responsibility.

a larger obligation

Emphasizes the formal or moral duty.

a more onerous duty

Uses 'onerous' to describe the burdensome nature.

an added strain

Focuses on the stress or pressure caused by the increase.

a tougher commitment

Highlights the increased difficulty of fulfilling a commitment.

a demanding task

Highlights task difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "a heavier burden" in a sentence?

You can use "a heavier burden" to describe an increase in responsibility, difficulty, or obligation. For example, "The new regulations placed "a heavier burden" on small businesses."

What is a synonym for "a heavier burden"?

Synonyms for "a heavier burden" include "a greater responsibility", "an increased workload", or "a larger obligation".

Is it correct to say "a more heavy burden" instead of "a heavier burden"?

While understandable, "a more heavy burden" is less common and idiomatic than "a heavier burden". It is generally preferable to use "a heavier burden" for better clarity and fluency.

What does it mean to say someone carries "a heavier burden"?

To say someone carries "a heavier burden" means they are facing more significant challenges, responsibilities, or difficulties compared to others or to a previous time. It implies an increase in pressure and demands.