great burden of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great burden of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant weight or responsibility that someone has to bear, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The great burden of leadership often falls on those who are least prepared for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

She looked fresh and dewy as ever last night despite the great burden of royal wedding preparations".

The New Yorker

Later, he termed martial law "a nightmare": the "great burden" of his life.To his defenders he epitomised pragmatism, not villainy.

The Economist

Sterilization, the doctor concluded, was "an indispensable part of any farsighted and humanitarian program for dealing with society's great burden of mental disease, deficiency and dependency".

The New York Times

"We are concerned," said Ian Spatz, vice president for public policy at Merck, "with any changes that would add significantly to the already great burden of civil litigation against vaccine research companies such as ours".

The New York Times

For the rest of the world it could prove more than that.Mr Bush himself brings—how to put this politely?—no great burden of preconception about the world's affairs.

The Economist

His will, written in January, came as a shock to many, including Matthias Frehner, the director of the Kunstmuseum Bern, who described the bequest as "a bolt from the blue" as well as a great "burden of responsibility".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr. Alden, on a seven-string guitar, carried the greater burden of accompaniment.

The New York Times - Arts

Gay men bear the greatest burden of H.I.V. infection in this country.

The New York Times

The greatest burden of dealing with our deficit must fall on lower spending, not higher taxes".

Independent

As the number of elderly people rapidly expands, so a far greater burden of care will fall on the young.

The Guardian - Opinion

It matches the data from the World Health Organisation showing the greatest burden of drug-related disease comes from alcohol and tobacco.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your writing, consider using synonyms like "significant responsibility" or "heavy weight" to avoid repetition of the phrase "great burden of".

Common error

Avoid using "great burden of" vaguely. Always specify what is causing the burden to maintain clarity and impact. Instead of saying "He felt the great burden of it all", specify the exact source like "He felt the great burden of his family's expectations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great burden of" functions as a noun modifier, typically describing the kind of pressure or weight associated with a responsibility, task, or problem. Ludwig examples show that it often precedes a noun phrase specifying the source of the burden. The usage is confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great burden of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies a substantial weight or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the provided examples showcase its usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While not exceedingly common, it effectively emphasizes the heaviness associated with a particular task, duty, or situation. When writing, ensure you clearly identify the source of the "burden" to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "significant responsibility" or "heavy weight" can offer variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant responsibility of

Emphasizes the importance and weight of the responsibility involved, rather than the difficulty.

heavy weight of

Focuses on the oppressive or difficult aspect of the responsibility or task.

considerable pressure from

Highlights the stress and demands associated with a situation.

immense strain on

Focuses on the stress that something places on resources or individuals.

onerous task of

Highlights the difficulty and unpleasantness of the task.

substantial load of

Emphasizes the quantity or amount of responsibility or work involved.

demanding undertaking of

Focuses on the challenging nature of a project or commitment.

serious obligation toward

Highlights the moral or legal imperative associated with a duty.

tough challenge with

Emphasizes the difficulty and need for effort to overcome an obstacle.

major commitment to

Highlights the dedication and resources required for a task or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "great burden of" in a sentence?

The phrase "great burden of" is typically used to describe something that causes significant stress, difficulty, or responsibility. For example, "The country faces the great burden of economic recovery after the disaster."

What can I say instead of "great burden of"?

You can use alternatives like "heavy weight of", "significant responsibility of", or "considerable pressure from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a great burden on" instead of "great burden of"?

While "great burden on" can be grammatically correct, it often implies a direct impact or strain on something. "Great burden of" is more general and describes the overall weight or responsibility. For instance, "the great burden on the healthcare system" versus "the great burden of leadership".

What's the difference between "great burden of" and "heavy load of"?

Both "great burden of" and "heavy load of" refer to something difficult to bear. "Great burden of" tends to emphasize the emotional or psychological weight, while "heavy load of" can also refer to a literal, physical weight.