face the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

"face the burden" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to confront and deal with a difficult responsibility or challenge. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as discussing personal challenges, societal issues, or work-related responsibilities. Example: "As CEO, I must face the burden of making tough decisions for the company's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

That way, a solitary woman does not face the burden alone.

The New York Times

They also face the burden of guilt – why were they able to escape when their school friends are still in captivity?

The Guardian

Many face the burden of meeting the standards of a more demanding world, and not all are succeeding at that task.

The New York Times

India will have a young, vast work force while a rapidly aging China will face the burden of supporting an older population.

The New York Times

Those parents still wanting to receive child benefit will also face the burden of filling in a self-assessment tax return, regardless of whether they pay income tax through PAYE.

The Guardian - Money

Here, on the other hand, Germans still face the burden of St. Augustine, who wrote that to be purged of the sin of pride, a person must also purge the pride that comes from being humble.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The unlikely plot of The Clowns of God (1981), in which a pope resigns because he can no longer face the burdens of office, was validated in February 2013 by the retirement of Benedict XVI.

The Guardian - Books

Surrogacy affords the opportunity of a dream-come-true for couples and individuals hoping to become parents but face the burdens of infertility or other health issues which make pregnancy and delivery dangerous or impossible.

Huffington Post

It faces the burden of legitimacy.

The New Yorker

WITH strains intensifying in the money markets, the Federal Reserve still faces the burden of averting a serious recession.

The Economist

The graphic evolution of the web must deal with two negative forces: its language framework doesn't evolve fast enough, and it faces the burden of messy advertising.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms to 'burden', such as 'responsibility', 'challenge', or 'difficulty' to nuance the specific aspect of the situation you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "face the burden" when the situation involves a minor inconvenience. The phrase implies a significant and weighty responsibility or challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face the burden" primarily functions as a verbal phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to describe the act of confronting and dealing with a difficult responsibility or challenge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face the burden" is a versatile phrase used to convey the act of confronting and dealing with a difficult responsibility. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While it appears frequently in news and media, it's also present in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is confronting the burden and what that burden entails. Consider alternatives like "bear the brunt" or "shoulder the responsibility" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the brunt

Implies enduring the worst part of a negative impact, shifting the focus to the intensity of the experience.

shoulder the responsibility

Highlights taking on accountability, focusing on the active acceptance of duty.

confront the challenge

Emphasizes the act of directly addressing a difficult task, shifting away from the negative connotation of burden.

grapple with the difficulty

Suggests a struggle or ongoing effort to overcome a problem, highlighting the process.

address the problem

Focuses on taking action to solve an issue, shifting the focus from the weight of the burden.

take on the onus

Emphasizes the legal or moral obligation, highlighting the compulsory nature of the task.

encounter the hardship

Focuses on experiencing difficulty or suffering, emphasizing the adverse conditions.

undergo the trial

Implies enduring a difficult test or experience, highlighting the process of being tested.

manage the adversity

Focuses on successfully handling difficult situations, emphasizing coping and resilience.

endure the hardship

Highlights the ability to withstand difficult conditions for a sustained period.

FAQs

What does "face the burden" mean?

The phrase "face the burden" means to confront and deal with a difficult responsibility, challenge, or hardship. It implies actively addressing something that is heavy or oppressive.

How can I use "face the burden" in a sentence?

You can use "face the burden" to describe someone or something confronting a significant challenge. For example: "The new CEO must "shoulder the responsibility" and guide the company through the crisis."

What are some alternatives to "face the burden"?

Alternatives include phrases like "bear the brunt", "confront the challenge", or "shoulder the responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "face the burden" or "bear the burden"?

Both "face the burden" and "bear the burden" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Face the burden" emphasizes the act of confronting a challenge, while "bear the burden" implies enduring the negative impacts of that challenge.