cannot be shouldered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be shouldered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a responsibility or burden is too great for someone to handle or take on. Example: "The financial burden of the project cannot be shouldered by a single individual."

✓ Grammatically correct

Biology and Philosophy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps this burden cannot be shouldered.

Biology and Philosophy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He cannot be expected to shoulder the responsibility alone.

The Guardian - Sport

Pharmaceutical industry executives say they cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of diseases of the poor alone.

The New York Times

I say here and now, my people cannot be asked to shoulder the burden of what is a global and regional challenge.

The Guardian

Jordanian king Abdullah said "my people cannot be asked to shoulder the burden of what is a global and regional challenge".

The Guardian

Training and advising the Iraqi forces should continue to be an important priority, these officers have argued, but the Iraqis cannot be expected to shoulder the brunt of the security effort so quickly.

The New York Times

Ellen Jones, president of the National Union of Students in Wales, welcomed the fee cap staying at £9,000 as "an incredibly positive development", saying: "Students cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of austerity". She added that raising the repayment threshold to £25,000 would also "go a significant way to lifting the barriers that students face in terms of loans".

BBC

The hand cannot be raised above shoulder level to strike the horse with excessive force, and if a horse comes out of a race with welts the jockey is stood down.

The New York Times

However, DLT was used, where indicated, in areas where liposuction was not performed (hands or feet) or areas that cannot be adequately compressed (shoulder or hip).

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Our method cannot be used in shoulders where the stump of the torn rotator cuff does not emerge across the top of the humeral head under traction.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

a At the age of 11. b At the age of 29 Fig. 2 Shoulder mobility test shows that the patient's shoulders cannot be brought closer together.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be shouldered", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific burden or responsibility is being referred to. Using concrete nouns instead of abstract ones improves clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be shouldered" when the issue is unwillingness rather than inability. The phrase suggests a genuine lack of capacity, not a refusal to accept responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be shouldered" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an inability to bear or handle a particular burden or responsibility. It implies that the weight or pressure is too significant to be supported. Ludwig AI's assessment confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be shouldered" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a burden or responsibility is too great to be borne. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, albeit noting its relatively infrequent usage. Predominantly found in scientific contexts, it carries a formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "cannot be shouldered", and be mindful of the distinction between inability and unwillingness. While less common, it offers a precise way to express insurmountable pressure or responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be borne

A direct synonym, replacing "shouldered" with a more general term for bearing a burden.

cannot be carried

Uses a more literal synonym for "shouldered", emphasizing the physical act of bearing a weight.

cannot be sustained

Replaces the metaphor of "shouldering" a burden with the idea of maintaining or supporting it, focusing on the duration of the support.

cannot be supported

Similar to 'cannot be sustained', but emphasizes the lack of resources or capacity to uphold the burden.

cannot be taken on

Emphasizes the inability to accept a responsibility or task.

cannot be managed

Focuses on the inability to control or direct a situation or responsibility, rather than bearing its weight.

cannot be upheld

Highlights the inability to maintain a standard or obligation, rather than bearing a load.

cannot be assumed

Highlights the inability to accept or take responsibility for something, focusing on the initial act of acceptance.

cannot be tolerated

Shifts the focus to the unacceptability of a situation or burden, rather than the inability to bear it.

cannot be endured

Focuses on the difficulty and pain associated with bearing a burden, emphasizing the emotional toll.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be shouldered" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be shouldered" to express that a particular burden, responsibility, or task is too great for someone to handle or bear. For example: "The financial burden of the project "cannot be shouldered" by a single individual".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be shouldered"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be borne", "cannot be carried", or "cannot be sustained" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be shouldered" a formal or informal expression?

"Cannot be shouldered" leans towards a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional or academic writing. More informal alternatives might include phrases like "can't handle".

What's the difference between "cannot be shouldered" and "cannot be handled"?

"Cannot be shouldered" specifically implies an inability to bear or support a burden, while "cannot be handled" suggests a broader inability to manage or deal with a situation. The former relates more to weight or pressure; the latter, to overall management.