burden yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'burden yourself' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is unnecessarily taking on too much responsibility or work. For example: "Don't burden yourself with too many tasks; delegate some of the work to your colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Don't burden yourself w. guilt," one says.

The New York Times - Arts

You don't burden yourself with questioning the status quo after all, worrying causes wrinkles!

The New Yorker

Even if you decide not to burden yourself with any of this fare, spend an hour or so on the rue des Martyrs of a weekend morning.

The Guardian - Travel

Why burden yourself with the uncertainty, lying in bed on a stormy night, that your business may not survive?" Donna Childs, author of a book about disaster preparedness: "The answer to the question of should they move to a new location is to be found in the mission of the business, providing stress-reducing yoga to aid fertility.

The New York Times

With all that to worry about, why burden yourself with an ugly monicker?

Vice

As if your own incapability to deal with the world around you wasn't enough, you're actively deciding to burden yourself with someone else's insanity.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She suggests instead strategically reaching out to key people without burdening yourself.

Forbes

Follow a checklist so that you don't over-burden yourself with stuff.

WikiHow

Speaking to others helps resolve things that you are burdening yourself with.

WikiHow

Ignoring someone is effectively a way of carrying on with a grievance in silence, making more out of an issue than needs be, burdening yourself with potential paranoia and constant irritation and failing to resolve things positively.

WikiHow

A potential explanation is that the wordings "burden", "exert yourself", and "taking a trip" are not interpreted as emotional issues but rather as an obstacle to daily activity.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, consider using "burden yourself" to discourage them from overcommitting to tasks or responsibilities that could lead to stress or burnout.

Common error

Avoid using "burden yourself" when the intention is to encourage someone to take on a challenge that will lead to growth. This phrase typically implies an unnecessary or detrimental load.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burden yourself" functions as a verb phrase used to advise against taking on too many responsibilities or obligations. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase's usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

41%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burden yourself" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that advises against taking on excessive responsibilities. Ludwig AI validates this, noting its applicability when cautioning someone against overcommitting. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for varied writing scenarios. To avoid misinterpretations, ensure the context aligns with discouraging unnecessary loads rather than promoting positive challenges. Alternatives like "overload yourself" or "encumber yourself" offer nuanced options for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encumber yourself

Implies hindering movement or action with a load, suggesting a more physical or logistical burden than the original phrase.

overload yourself

Suggests taking on more than one can handle, emphasizing the excessive amount of responsibility.

pressure yourself

Focuses on the internal stress and expectations one places on oneself.

saddle yourself with

Indicates acquiring something unwanted or burdensome, often implying a long-term commitment.

take upon yourself

Emphasizes the act of voluntarily assuming a responsibility or task.

shoulder the burden

Highlights the act of carrying a heavy responsibility, often for others.

weigh yourself down

Suggests a negative impact on one's emotional or mental state due to taking on too much.

commit yourself to

Focuses on dedicating oneself to a task or responsibility, potentially implying a positive commitment, but can also imply an unwanted obligation.

become responsible for

Highlights the aspect of having to manage or care for something, implying a duty.

assume responsibility for

Stresses the formal acceptance of accountability for something.

FAQs

How can I use "burden yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "burden yourself" to advise against taking on too many responsibilities. For example, "Don't "burden yourself" with excessive debt."

What does "burden yourself" mean?

"Burden yourself" means to take on an unnecessary or excessive load of responsibility, stress, or obligation, often to your own detriment.

What can I say instead of "burden yourself"?

Alternatives include "overload yourself", "encumber yourself", or "weigh yourself down", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "burden yourself" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "burden yourself" is more common in informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "assume excessive responsibility" or "take on undue obligation".