be encumbered by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be encumbered by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to be burdened or hindered by something. Example: She was encumbered by her heavy backpack as she tried to climb the steep hill.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They should not be encumbered by a mischievous referendum law.

The New York Times

Not every journalist, Hardy says, wants to be encumbered by such considerations.

The New Yorker

But the Bush administration did not want to be encumbered by a formal alliance.

The Economist

The next leaders will not be encumbered by memories of humiliation and triumphant resistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Democrats are going to be encumbered by that link, they need to change voters' feelings about government.

The New York Times

"I would rather not be encumbered by furniture I have to drag around with me," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Black is encumbered by no such constraints.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Certainly we are encumbered by a shortage of energy".

The New York Times - Arts

This was photography's childhood, and it was encumbered by limitations.

The New York Times - Arts

He was capable of retaining what he wanted from his roots without being encumbered by them".

Independent

Still, in scene after scene, their exchanges are encumbered by complex music roiling in the orchestra.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be encumbered by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is being burdened, and the object specifies the cause of the burden. For example, "The project was encumbered by bureaucratic delays."

Common error

Avoid using "be encumbered by" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of saying "The process is encumbered by regulations", consider "Regulations encumber the process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be encumbered by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being burdened or hindered. Ludwig provides examples illustrating how various entities, such as projects, companies, or individuals, can be encumbered by different factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be encumbered by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is burdened, hindered, or restricted. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the subject and cause are clearly defined. While the passive voice is acceptable, consider whether the active voice might provide a clearer and more direct statement. Alternatives such as ""be burdened by"" or ""be hampered by"" can be used to add nuance. The frequency of occurrence is "very common" and its usage ranges from neutral to formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be burdened by

Focuses on the weight or difficulty caused by something.

be hampered by

Emphasizes the slowing down or obstruction of progress.

be hindered by

Highlights the prevention of easy or free action.

be impeded by

Stresses the obstruction of movement or progress.

be restricted by

Focuses on limitations imposed by something.

be constrained by

Highlights the limitations and restrictions imposed.

be weighed down by

Emphasizes the feeling of heaviness and oppression.

be bogged down by

Focuses on being stuck or delayed in progress.

be troubled by

Highlights the distress or worry caused by something.

be affected by

Focuses on the influence or impact of something, potentially negative.

FAQs

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

Use "be encumbered by" to describe something being burdened or hindered. For example, "The company's growth was encumbered by debt."

What's a good substitute for "be encumbered by"?

You can use alternatives like "be burdened by", "be hampered by", or "be hindered by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "be encumbered by"?

While grammatically correct, the passive voice (e.g., "The plan was encumbered by regulations") can sometimes be less direct than the active voice (e.g., "Regulations encumbered the plan"). Choose the voice that best suits your writing style and context.

What does "be encumbered by" mean?

It means to be burdened, restricted, or impeded by something, implying a negative impact on progress or freedom of action.