be burdened with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be burdened with" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to have a heavy or difficult responsibility or task to bear. It can be used in a variety of contexts, but is often used to describe someone or something that is struggling under a heavy load or weight. Example: The small company was burdened with the task of meeting a tight deadline with limited resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Why be burdened with such high fixed costs?" he asked.

The New York Times

The United States will be burdened with immense debts, the protesters say.

The New York Times

At large corporations, he said, magazines can be burdened with unrealistic overhead and charges.

The New York Times

Not all employees are happy to be burdened with the responsibilities of Schultz's "conscious capitalism".

The Guardian - Business

It doesn't need to be burdened with a panel of Congressional appointees fixated on partisan concerns.

The New York Times

It should not be burdened with an expanded scope and become a parallel mini-U.N.

The New York Times

Future midwives could be burdened with debt and put off pursuing a career in midwifery".

The Guardian

But why should poor AJ and his fellow soldiers be burdened with these details?

The Guardian

The companies did not want WebMD to be burdened with HLTH's debt.

The New York Times

Traffic control will always be burdened with seeking to satisfy the frequently conflicting goals of safety and mobility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beyond that, the new director should not be burdened with such unpleasant disciplinary decisions immediately upon taking office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "be burdened with", consider the emotional tone you wish to convey. It often carries a negative connotation, so ensure it aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "be burdened with" in situations where you want to express being blessed or fortunate. The phrase inherently implies a hardship or challenge, so using it in a positive context creates confusion. Instead, opt for phrases like "be blessed with" or "be gifted with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be burdened with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being burdened. It is used to express that someone or something is carrying a heavy load, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the passive verb phrase "be burdened with" is commonly used to express that someone or something is facing difficulty due to a heavy responsibility or problem. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and frequently used. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is most often found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and carries a neutral tone. When writing, remember that this expression typically implies a negative impact, and should therefore not be confused with positive situations. Related phrases include "be weighed down by" and "be saddled with", offering writers a variety of options to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be weighed down by

Focuses more on the feeling of heaviness or oppression.

be saddled with

Implies an unwanted responsibility or task.

be encumbered by

Suggests a hindering or impeding effect.

be loaded with

Emphasizes the amount or quantity of something burdensome.

be afflicted with

Highlights the suffering or distress caused by the burden.

be hampered by

Indicates that progress or ability is limited by the burden.

be oppressed by

Implies a sense of injustice or tyranny associated with the burden.

be crushed by

Suggests an overwhelming and debilitating impact.

be overwhelmed by

Implies being unable to cope with the magnitude of the burden.

be stressed by

Emphasizes the anxiety and pressure caused by the burden.

FAQs

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

You can use "be burdened with" to describe something that is causing difficulty or hardship. For example, "The company was "be burdened with" debt" or "She didn't want to "be burdened with" his problems".

What are some alternatives to "be burdened with"?

Some alternatives to "be burdened with" include "be weighed down by", "be saddled with", or "be encumbered by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "burdened by" or "burdened with"?

"Burdened by" and "burdened with" are both grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "burdened with" is used to specify what someone is burdened by, while "burdened by" can be more general. For example, “He was burdened by the responsibility” or “He was "be burdened with" too many tasks”.

What does it mean to "be burdened with" something?

To "be burdened with" something means to be weighed down by a difficult or unpleasant responsibility, problem, or task. It implies that the person or thing carrying the burden is struggling under its weight.