burdened with tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burdened with tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is overwhelmed or overloaded with responsibilities or duties. Example: "After taking on several new projects at work, I found myself burdened with tasks that seemed never-ending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even so, the vast majority toil anonymously, burdened with tasks that rarely live up to the glamorous image.

The New York Times - Food

Although excessively burdened with tasks and routines, no request was made for more staff resources.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Second, when teachers did stick up for themselves, senior leaders or poorly-paid teaching assistants became burdened with these tasks.

The Guardian

This division of labour seems obviously related to men's relative ability to range far from camp, women being too burdened with the tasks of motherhood to track animals wherever they may lead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Narendra Jadhav, an Indian economist who grew up at the bottom of the Hindu caste system, wrote in his memoir, "Untouchables," published in the United States in 2005: The untouchables themselves were indoctrinated in the theory of karma, which stated that they where burdened with demeaning tasks only because of their own misdeeds in past lives.

The New Yorker

Subsequently, women, when burdened with these tasks, may not feel they have time to use a drug that might affect those responsibilities.

Vice

Facilitators did not feel well supported by the bipolar service and felt burdened with administrative tasks such as photocopying.

BMC Psychiatry

Ghowrwal, who had just returned from a semester abroad in Chile, was now faced with an unemployed, unstable mother and burdened with the task of finding out what was wrong – and how to deal with it.

The Guardian

A rookie left guard, Bender was burdened with the task of reinforcing the line that protects quarterback Chad Pennington and the team party line that the trade of offensive lineman Pete Kendall was all good.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, OFCD supports NTA administratively and provides ready access to the organizational "history" of the NTA, so that the fellows serving on the NTA Steering Committee are not burdened with this task.

Science Magazine

The lining is sewn in delicately to caress the head: a so-much needed indulgence for any head burdened with the task of "ruling the free world".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "burdened with tasks" to convey a sense of being heavily loaded or overwhelmed by duties or responsibilities. It's particularly effective when highlighting the negative impact of having too much to do.

Common error

While "burdened with tasks" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive constructions can weaken your writing. Ensure you're not using it to avoid assigning responsibility or creating a vague sentence. Consider who or what is doing the burdening for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burdened with tasks" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is carrying a heavy load of responsibilities or duties. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burdened with tasks" is a grammatically correct way to describe someone overwhelmed by duties. While not extremely frequent, it's found across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. When using the phrase, ensure it appropriately conveys the sense of being heavily loaded or strained by responsibilities, and be mindful of potential overuse of passive voice. Alternatives like "overloaded with responsibilities" or "swamped with duties" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laden with tasks

Suggests carrying a heavy load of tasks.

overloaded with responsibilities

Focuses on the quantity of responsibilities, suggesting an excessive amount.

weighed down by duties

Emphasizes the heavy or oppressive feeling caused by the duties.

swamped with duties

Implies being submerged or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of duties.

overwhelmed with assignments

Specifically refers to tasks assigned, often in an academic or professional setting.

bogged down with work

Suggests being stuck or impeded by a heavy workload.

encumbered with duties

Highlights the restrictive or hindering nature of the duties.

saddled with obligations

Implies that the obligations are unwanted or imposed.

taxed with responsibilities

Emphasizes the draining or exhausting effect of the responsibilities.

oppressed by obligations

Expresses a sense of being suppressed or controlled by the obligations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "burdened with tasks" to sound more positive?

Consider alternatives like "engaged with projects", "involved in multiple initiatives", or "contributing to various efforts" to shift the focus from the negative impact to active participation.

Is there a difference between "burdened with tasks" and "overwhelmed by tasks"?

While similar, "burdened with tasks" emphasizes the weight or load of responsibilities, while "overwhelmed by tasks" highlights the feeling of being emotionally or mentally stressed by the volume of work.

What are some formal alternatives to "burdened with tasks"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "encumbered with duties", "charged with responsibilities", or "tasked with a significant workload".

How to use "burdened with tasks" in a sentence?

Example: "The team felt burdened with tasks due to the staff shortage." You can also say "She was burdened with tasks that should have been delegated".