a serious burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant weight or responsibility that someone is carrying, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "The financial difficulties have become a serious burden for the family, affecting their overall well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the mortgage-related legal woes remained a serious burden.

The New York Times

Despite that burnout presents a serious burden for modern society, there are no diagnostic criteria.

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Tinnitus can cause a serious burden on patients and remains often treatment-resistant.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Limitations of I/O bandwidth and latency are a serious burden for many data intensive algorithms.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

TAXES A SERIOUS BURDEN Freight Business Also Declined in 1924 -- Rate Situation a Problem.

The New York Times

Removing the entrance, he added, "would impose a serious burden on the displaced pedestrian users".

The New York Times

This is at a time when more families find those costs to be a serious burden".

The New Yorker

Adverse drug reactions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are a serious burden on patients, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics

For Korean dialysis patients, chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder is a serious burden because of cardiovascular calcification and mortality.

Kidney Research and Clinical Practice

Back in New Zealand, a small country already struggling with surging homelessness, the deportations are becoming a serious burden.

The New York Times

But debt incurred in college becomes a serious burden at graduation, especially in a recession in which jobs are scarce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious burden", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about responsibility, difficulty, or emotional weight? Choose synonyms or related phrases that best reflect that nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious burden" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "a heavy load" or "a significant hardship" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious burden" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes something that imposes significant weight or difficulty. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in denoting problems, responsibilities, or conditions that negatively impact individuals or systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

65%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious burden" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe something that imposes significant difficulty, stress, or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While the phrase is frequently used it's important to consider the specific nuance to avoid repetition. Synonyms such as "a heavy load", "a significant hardship", or "a major challenge" can provide variety and precision in your writing. Ultimately, "a serious burden" effectively communicates the weight and impact of a negative situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hardship

Replaces "burden" with "hardship", emphasizing the difficulty and suffering involved.

a heavy load

Uses a metaphorical "load" to suggest weight and responsibility, similar to "burden".

a considerable strain

Focuses on the pressure and stress caused by the situation, rather than the responsibility itself.

a major challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of overcoming an obstacle, rather than the weight of a responsibility.

a grave responsibility

Replaces "burden" with "responsibility", emphasizing the seriousness and importance of the task.

a substantial encumbrance

Uses a more formal term, "encumbrance", to describe something that hinders or impedes progress.

an onerous task

Highlights the difficulty and unpleasantness of the task, making it seem particularly burdensome.

a crushing weight

Emphasizes the overwhelming and oppressive nature of the burden.

a difficult obligation

Focuses on the compulsory nature of the burden and its inherent difficulty.

a severe disadvantage

Highlights how something presents an obstacle and unfair circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious burden" to describe something that causes significant difficulty, stress, or responsibility. For instance, "The mortgage payments have become "a serious burden" on the family's finances".

What are some alternatives to "a serious burden"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a heavy load", "a significant strain", or "a major challenge".

Is "a serious burden" formal or informal?

"A serious burden" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "a substantial encumbrance".

What makes something "a serious burden"?

Something becomes "a serious burden" when it creates significant difficulty, stress, or responsibility that negatively impacts someone's life or well-being. It implies that the issue is not easily managed or resolved.