a significant burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that causes a considerable amount of stress, difficulty, or responsibility. Example: "The new regulations imposed a significant burden on small businesses, making it harder for them to operate efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If you're indigent, that's a significant burden," he said.

The New York Times

But this shouldn't be viewed as a significant burden.

Independent

That may be a significant burden for smaller loans.

The Economist

"Unbelted occupants create a significant burden on the health care system," the authors wrote.

The New York Times - Health

While the federal government pays disability claims, a significant burden falls to taxpayers.

The New York Times

In proportion to income, however, the settlement by Indus was a significant burden for the company.

The New York Times

However, this choice brings with it a significant burden of responsibility for individuals to understand the choices they are making.

The Guardian

But a significant burden will still fall on the Nepal government, which will also need to draw on international support.

The Guardian

TBI is a significant burden to our health-care system.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Mosquito-borne diseases create a significant burden every year.

AMB Express

Repeat incarceration exerts a significant burden on individuals, families and society as a whole.

Health & Justice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a significant burden" to clearly convey that something is causing considerable difficulty or stress. Ensure that the context provides sufficient detail to understand what the burden entails.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant burden" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "a considerable strain" or "a heavy load" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant burden" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that imposes considerable difficulty or strain, like in the example, "Unbelted occupants create a significant burden on the health care system."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant burden" is a noun phrase used to describe something that causes considerable difficulty, stress, or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including science, news, and business. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Common alternatives include "a considerable strain" or "a heavy load". Remember to use the phrase judiciously, varying your language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable load

Emphasizes the amount or quantity of something that must be carried or dealt with.

a substantial strain

Focuses on the pressure or tension caused by a challenging situation.

a heavy responsibility

Highlights the duty and accountability associated with a particular role or task.

a major difficulty

Indicates a significant obstacle or challenge that needs to be overcome.

a great encumbrance

Implies something that hinders or impedes progress or freedom.

a tough challenge

Suggests a demanding situation that requires considerable effort and skill.

a demanding obligation

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of a task that requires significant time and energy.

a serious impediment

Indicates something that obstructs or delays progress or action.

a considerable impediment

Highlights that something is significantly obstructive.

an onerous task

Highlights that something is difficult and unpleasant.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant burden" to describe something that causes considerable difficulty, stress, or responsibility. For example, "The new tax laws placed "a significant burden" on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "a significant burden"?

Alternatives include "a considerable strain", "a heavy load", or "a substantial responsibility", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant burden" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant burden" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that something is causing considerable difficulty or stress.

What's the difference between "a significant burden" and "a minor inconvenience"?

"A significant burden" describes something that causes substantial difficulty or stress, while "a minor inconvenience" refers to something that is only slightly troublesome or bothersome. The scale of impact is the key difference.