administrative burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "administrative burden" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the time, effort, and resources required to comply with administrative tasks or regulations. Example: The new policy has significantly increased the administrative burden on small businesses, causing many to struggle to meet the new requirements.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were trying to keep the administrative burden within reason".

The New York Times

That reduces their administrative burden and expands their potential market.

The New York Times

"We understand  FoI requests can be an administrative burden.

Independent

In his veto message, Mr. Bloomberg said the bill would have created an unnecessary administrative burden.

The New York Times

She asked them to agree a single reporting mechanism to ease the administrative burden.

The Guardian

That could include the administrative burden if government officials had to annul marriages, he said.

The New York Times

Italy was straining under the numbers, bearing a huge administrative burden and ever-rising costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even so, airlines are furious about the administrative burden and the implications for their business.

The New York Times

There's a recognition that lunch is a social activity with social benefits, not an administrative burden ("eating" not "feeding").

The Guardian

And under current publication regimes, the redaction process does not appear to have been a major administrative burden.

The Guardian

These changes will reduce the administrative burden of complying with these regulations, while maintaining the environmental objectives of the policies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, quantify the "administrative burden" by specifying the time, resources, or personnel involved. For example, "The new reporting requirements added 20 hours per week to the administrative burden."

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "administrative burden" without providing context. Instead of saying "This will increase administrative burden", specify who will be affected and how. For instance, "This new system will increase the administrative burden on the IT department, requiring additional training and support."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "administrative burden" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the weight or difficulty imposed by administrative tasks, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it's often associated with reducing or easing these burdens.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "administrative burden" is a correct and very common way to describe the challenges and difficulties associated with administrative tasks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, and in formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about who is affected and how, avoiding vague statements. Alternatives like "bureaucratic red tape" or "paperwork overload" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onerous administrative demands

This phrase stresses the demanding nature of administrative tasks, implying that they are burdensome and taxing.

bureaucratic red tape

Emphasizes the complexity and inefficiency of bureaucratic processes, highlighting the cumbersome nature of the tasks.

complex procedural requirements

Emphasizes the intricacy of required procedures, making it specific to situations involving complicated processes.

excessive regulation

This term highlights the problem of over-regulation which results in unnecessary effort to comply with rules.

paperwork overload

Highlights the excessive amount of paperwork involved, emphasizing the volume of documentation rather than the broader administrative process.

compliance overhead

Similar to regulatory compliance costs but refers to all costs associated with compliance and is a bit more general.

regulatory compliance costs

Focuses specifically on the financial costs associated with complying to regulations, differing from the general effort of administrative tasks.

managerial workload

Shifts the focus to the workload of managers, specifying the type of labor instead of administrative processes in general.

organisational drag

Implies a slowing down or hindering of organizational progress due to administrative tasks.

operational encumbrance

Refers to something that impedes or hinders operations. It's more formal and broader, encompassing any obstacle, not just administrative ones.

FAQs

How can I reduce the "administrative burden" in my organization?

Consider streamlining processes, automating tasks, and using technology to simplify workflows. Regularly review administrative procedures to identify and eliminate unnecessary steps.

What are some alternatives to "administrative burden"?

You can use alternatives like "bureaucratic red tape", "paperwork overload", or "compliance overhead" depending on the context.

How does "administrative burden" affect productivity?

"Administrative burden" can divert time and resources from core activities, reduce efficiency, and increase operational costs, ultimately hindering productivity.

Is "administrative burden" always negative, or can it have benefits?

While often perceived negatively, some administrative processes ensure accountability and compliance, providing necessary structure. However, excessive or inefficient "administrative burden" can outweigh these benefits. Therefore strive for simplification of such demands.