carry the load

USAGE SUMMARY

"carry the load" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone taking on a burden or responsibility, especially a shared burden or responsibility. For example, "We all need to do our part and carry the load to get this project done on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her songs carry the load.

The New York Times - Arts

Brian really had to carry the load".

The New York Times - Sports

"Nobody has to carry the load.

The New York Times - Sports

(His working paper, "Should You Carry the Load?

The New York Times

Why not, on occasion, let a lager carry the load?

The New York Times - Food

If Martin were injured, Richie Anderson would carry the load.

The New York Times - Sports

He doesn't have to carry the load alone".

The New York Times - Sports

Other countries will carry the load forward this year.

The New York Times - Sports

I told the student that I could carry the load.

The New York Times

Engineering systems are designed to carry the load.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

It is unacceptable that some networks carry the load for others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carry the load", ensure the context clearly indicates what burden or responsibility is being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "carry the load" when the responsibility is not actually shared. If one person is solely responsible, phrases like "take ownership" or "be in charge" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry the load" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It often appears with a subject performing the action of undertaking a burden or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carry the load" is a commonly used phrase that signifies sharing responsibility or taking on a burden, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and sports contexts, reflecting its wide applicability. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects a shared responsibility to avoid misattribution. Related phrases such as "shoulder the responsibility" and "bear the burden" offer similar meanings but with subtle differences in emphasis. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shoulder the responsibility

Implies taking on a duty or task, often with a sense of commitment.

bear the burden

Focuses on enduring hardship or difficulty, emphasizing resilience.

take on the responsibility

Highlights the act of accepting a duty or obligation.

hold the weight

Emphasizes the ability to support or sustain a challenging situation or task.

take up the mantle

Suggests inheriting a role or responsibility, often implying leadership.

do one's part

Focuses on contributing to a shared effort or goal, emphasizing collaboration.

step up to the plate

Implies readiness to face a challenge or take action when needed.

take the helm

Suggests assuming control or leadership of a project or organization.

keep things afloat

Focuses on maintaining stability or preventing failure in a difficult situation.

keep the ball rolling

Emphasizes maintaining progress and momentum in a project or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "carry the load" in a sentence?

You can use "carry the load" to describe sharing responsibility, such as "The team members agreed to "carry the load" equally to ensure project success".

What are some alternatives to "carry the load"?

Alternatives include "shoulder the responsibility", "bear the burden", or "take on the responsibility", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "carrying the load" instead of "carry the load"?

Yes, "carrying the load" is correct and functions as a gerund or present participle, often used to describe an ongoing action: "She is "carrying the load" while her colleague is on leave".

What's the difference between "carry the load" and "shoulder the burden"?

While both phrases imply taking on responsibility, "carry the load" often suggests a shared responsibility or task, whereas "shoulder the burden" implies enduring a difficult or heavy responsibility, similar to "bear the burden".