cannot be burdened with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be burdened with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone is unable or unwilling to take on a responsibility or obligation. Example: "She feels that she cannot be burdened with additional tasks at this time due to her current workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I have trouble enough of my own, and cannot be burdened with other people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On Wednesday, when Donald Trump tweeted that the US armed forces would not "allow or accept" transgender people into military service, he argued the Pentagon "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs" of covering transgender-related healthcare.

The Guardian

Trump tweeted further, "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail".

The New Yorker

Over the years, the phone companies have fought off regulators who want to treat them as utilities, arguing that if they are going to stay innovative, they cannot be burdened with the old rules that phone companies dealt with in the landline era.

The New York Times - Tech

He said the military cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs of gender reassignment surgery.

HuffPost

"Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"We cannot afford to be burdened with labels such as 'rich' or 'poor,'developeded' or 'developing,' 'North' or 'South,' or 'the Non-Aligned Movement.' In the 21st century, these false divisions rarely serve anyone's interests".

Forbes

If Portuguese and Spanish debt cannot be sold at a reasonable price, the European Union will be burdened with rescues it cannot easily afford.

The New York Times

They say that the rate cuts are deceptive and cannot last and that customers will be burdened with billions of dollars in debt.

The New York Times

And if they cannot get their scrilla, the "state" -- that is, you and me -- will be burdened with the costs.

Huffington Post

Moreover, "...cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs... .. is a complete misrepresentation of reality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be burdened with", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the inability or unwillingness to take on the additional responsibility. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

While "cannot be burdened with" is grammatically correct, excessive use of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use a more active construction if appropriate, such as "cannot handle" or "cannot manage."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be burdened with" functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability or unwillingness to accept additional responsibilities, tasks, or costs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be burdened with" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express an inability or unwillingness to take on additional responsibilities. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, the phrase conveys a limitation or restriction. Consider using alternative phrases like "cannot handle" or "unable to bear" depending on the specific context and intended nuance. While the phrase is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of overusing the passive voice. The high source quality and positive expert rating suggest that using "cannot be burdened with" is generally appropriate in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot handle the load of

Replaces "burdened with" with "handle the load of", emphasizing the inability to manage something.

cannot take on the responsibility of

Specifically mentions "responsibility", making it suitable for formal contexts where accountability is key.

unable to shoulder the weight of

Uses metaphorical language ("shoulder the weight") to convey the idea of bearing a burden.

cannot be saddled with

Employs the metaphor of being "saddled" which implies an unwanted imposition.

cannot be encumbered by

"Encumbered" suggests being held back or impeded by something.

not in a position to bear

Focuses on the lack of capacity to endure or support something.

unable to accommodate

Suggests a lack of space or resources to include something.

cannot afford to be preoccupied with

Highlights the cost (time, energy, resources) associated with taking on additional burdens.

not equipped to deal with

Indicates a lack of preparedness or resources to manage something effectively.

reluctant to take on

Emphasizes the unwillingness rather than the inability to accept additional responsibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be burdened with" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be burdened with" to express that someone or something is unable or unwilling to take on additional responsibilities or obligations. For example, "The project "cannot be burdened with" additional costs at this stage."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be burdened with"?

Some alternatives include "cannot handle", "unable to bear", or "cannot take on", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cannot be burdened with" or "should not be burdened with"?

"Cannot be burdened with" implies an inability, while "should not be burdened with" suggests a recommendation or opinion. The best choice depends on whether you are stating a limitation or expressing a preference.

What's the difference between "cannot be burdened with" and "cannot cope with"?

"Cannot be burdened with" implies an unwillingness or inability to add something more to an existing load, while "cannot cope with" suggests an inability to manage or deal with something that is already present. They address different aspects of handling responsibilities.