burden of expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

'burden of expectations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone feeling overwhelmed with expectations that others have of them. For example, "The young athlete was struggling to cope with the burden of expectations that came with being a top player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Oh, the burden of expectations.

The New York Times

The burden of expectations weighed on her.

The New York Times - Sports

Mattingly said he told Kemp before spring training that he understood the burden of expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

The burden of expectations can weigh down the best of us, so spare a thought for Enzo Alan Zidane Fernández.

The Guardian - Sport

As the first Democratic governor for 16 years, he brings with him a huge burden of expectations from the left.

The Economist

He writes, "I didn't realize until that day how much the burden of expectations and hopes had dragged me down over the last three decades".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But success tends to add the burden of expectation.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps Celtic labour under the heavy burden of expectation.

The Guardian - Sport

Sanchez said he had never felt such burden of expectation.

The New York Times - Sports

I got the chance to encounter UK stand-ups free of the burden of expectation.

The Guardian

To put that burden of expectation onto a student would be wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "burden of expectations", be specific about whose expectations are creating the burden and what the expected outcome is. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "burden of expectations" without specifying the source of the expectations. Saying someone faces a "burden of expectations" is vague without indicating whether these expectations come from family, society, or themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burden of expectations" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a situation where someone feels weighed down by the hopes and anticipations of others. Ludwig confirms this is accurate and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sports

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burden of expectations" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the stress and pressure of feeling obligated to meet others' hopes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and can be effectively used to convey the emotional weight associated with anticipated outcomes. It appears most frequently in news and media, sports, and book reviews. To use it effectively, specify the source of expectations to add clarity. Alternatives like "weight of anticipation" or "pressure to succeed" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weight of anticipation

Focuses on the emotional and psychological strain caused by anticipating future events.

pressure to succeed

Highlights the stress and demands associated with achieving a desired outcome.

demands of expectation

Emphasizes the requirements and pressures imposed by others' beliefs and hopes.

stress of anticipation

Focuses specifically on the anxiety and tension arising from expected future events.

onus of expectation

Highlights the responsibility and duty associated with meeting others' hopes.

responsibility to deliver

Emphasizes the obligation to produce expected results or outcomes.

challenge of meeting expectations

Focuses on the difficulty and effort involved in satisfying the hopes of others.

strain of predicted outcomes

Highlights the mental and emotional tension caused by foreseen results.

pressure of anticipated results

Emphasizes the stress associated with achieving specific predicted outcomes.

weight of societal expectations

Focuses specifically on the broad pressures imposed by cultural or social norms.

FAQs

How can I use "burden of expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "burden of expectations" to describe the stress or pressure someone feels when they believe others have high hopes for them. For example, "The young athlete struggled under the "burden of expectations" placed on him by his coach and family."

What are some alternative phrases for "burden of expectations"?

Alternatives include "weight of anticipation", "pressure to succeed", or "demands of expectation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "burden of expectations"?

Yes, "burden of expectations" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the feeling of being weighed down by what others expect.

What's the difference between "burden of expectations" and "pressure of expectations"?

While similar, "burden of expectations" emphasizes the heavy emotional weight, while "pressure of expectations" focuses more on the stress and urgency to meet those expectations.