be burdened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be burdened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of being weighed down or affected negatively by something, such as a responsibility or problem. Example: "Many people feel they are burdened by their financial obligations, making it difficult to enjoy life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

At least they won't be burdened by expectations.

The New York Times

Do not, for once, be burdened by concerns about cash.

The New York Times - Style

"You can be burdened by too much research," she said.

The New York Times

Maybe you will be burdened by other circumstances beyond your control.

The New York Times - Arts

Dozier could thrive like Marshall, or he could be burdened by heavy expectations like Allen.

The New York Times - Sports

He seems to be burdened by his inability to score right now".

The New York Times - Sports

And once you decide you don't have to be burdened by what other people are dictating, it's very liberating.

The New York Times

But none of the editors down below, the day-to-day editors, should every be burdened by commercial considerations".

The New Yorker

He also notes that "McCain seems to be burdened by the emotional cost of the war in Iraq".

The New York Times

Moody would be a contender for the tour captain next month but Johnson will not be burdened by choice.

The Guardian - Sport

"The facts are clear: if we care about the future of our sport, our equine athletes cannot be burdened by the taint of drugs".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be burdened by", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is causing the burden. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be burdened by" in overly passive constructions that fail to identify the source of the burden, which can weaken the sentence. Instead, specify who or what is imposing the burden for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be burdened by" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being weighed down or troubled by something. Ludwig shows numerous examples in which the phrase is used to describe the negative impact of responsibilities, expectations, or problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Huffington Post

24%

The New York Times

15%

Less common in

Sports

7%

Forbes

7%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be burdened by" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the experience of being weighed down or negatively affected by something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to scientific articles and general discourse, indicating its widespread acceptance and neutral register. It serves to communicate hardship or difficulty resulting from specific factors. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly identify the source of the burden to ensure clarity and impact. Alternatives like ""be weighed down by"" or ""be encumbered by"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be weighed down by

Emphasizes the feeling of being heavily loaded or oppressed.

be encumbered by

Suggests being hindered or restricted in movement or action.

be hampered by

Highlights the obstruction of progress or ease of action.

be afflicted by

Focuses on suffering or distress caused by something.

be troubled by

Indicates being worried or disturbed by something.

be oppressed by

Implies being subjected to unjust or cruel constraints.

be constrained by

Highlights limitation or restriction by certain factors.

be saddled with

Suggests being given an unwanted responsibility or problem.

be vexed by

Indicates being annoyed or frustrated by something.

be affected by

Indicates being impacted or influenced, often negatively.

FAQs

How can I use "be burdened by" in a sentence?

Use "be burdened by" to indicate that someone or something is experiencing a negative weight or pressure. For example, "The company seemed to "be burdened by" debt."

What's a good alternative to "be burdened by"?

Alternatives include "be weighed down by", "be encumbered by", or "be hampered by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be burdened with" instead of "be burdened by"?

While "be burdened by" is more common, "be burdened with" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. For example: "She was "be burdened with" responsibilities."

What does it mean to say someone "seems to be burdened by" something?

Saying someone "seems to "be burdened by"" something means they appear to be experiencing stress, worry, or difficulty due to a particular issue or situation. The emphasis is on the outward appearance suggesting the weight of that burden.