increase the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase the burden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation that is becoming more difficult or stressful to manage. For example, "The numerous emails regarding the project have increased the burden on the team's workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Besides, sensors would also increase the burden of diagnosis.

Neurocomputing

Other pollutants, such as sulphur, increase the burden.

The Economist

That might increase the burden on richer, older countries if bailouts have to take place.

The New York Times

This trend will increase the burden of health care costs for insurers, governments, and individuals.

Harvard University

Antimicrobial resistance is expected to increase the burden of osteomyelitis drastically.

Injury

Due to higher quantity of fuel use, these cookstoves increase the burden on fuel management.

Energy

His proposal would increase the burden solely on asylum seekers who are accused of being terrorists by their home governments.

The New York Times

According to Willens, the proposed 15-year amortization for sports teams will increase the burden of buying a franchise.

The New York Times - Sports

We want to make good societal decisions but avoid regulations that will increase the burden on industry and stifle innovation".

The New Yorker

Devaluation for Greece would increase the burden of euro-denominated debt.

The Economist

Schumer's job as Democratic leader might increase the burden on him to support deals he negotiates with the Republicans.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the burden", consider the specific area where the burden is growing (e.g., "increase the burden on healthcare workers") to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "increase the burden" without specifying who or what is affected. Saying "this will increase the burden" lacks clarity; instead, specify "this will increase the burden on small businesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the burden" functions as a verb phrase that signifies the action of making something more difficult, onerous, or challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe the act of adding weight to a situation or responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

42%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase the burden" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of making something more difficult or onerous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. It appears frequently in contexts such as science, news, and academia, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist using it regularly. While alternatives exist, understanding the specific nuance you want to convey is crucial when choosing a substitute. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clarify who or what is bearing the increased burden for maximum clarity. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the affected party. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of its usage, alternatives, and potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make more onerous

Onerous means burdensome, making this a direct synonym in terms of effect.

add to the load

This alternative uses the word "load" instead of "burden", implying a similar concept of added weight or difficulty.

exacerbate the problem

This phrase focuses on worsening a problem, which can indirectly increase the burden on those dealing with it.

compound the issue

Similar to "exacerbate", this suggests making an existing issue more complex and difficult to manage, thus increasing the burden.

aggravate the situation

This highlights the worsening of a situation, which consequently increases the burden of dealing with it.

intensify the pressure

While focusing on pressure, it shares the core meaning of making something more intense and difficult to bear, similar to increasing a burden.

heighten the strain

This alternative uses "strain" to convey a similar sense of increased difficulty or pressure.

amplify the stress

Focuses on the stress aspect, similar to the difficulty implied by burden.

add weight to

This phrase directly implies adding more responsibility or difficulty to something, mirroring the effect of increasing a burden.

make heavier

This is a more literal interpretation of adding weight or difficulty, making it similar to increasing a burden.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase the burden" to describe actions or events that add difficulty or stress to a situation or group. For example, "New regulations will "increase the burden" on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "increase the burden"?

Alternatives include "add to the load", "exacerbate the problem", or "compound the issue". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "increase the burden" or "raise the burden"?

"Increase the burden" and "raise the burden" are similar, but "increase" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing. "Raise" might sound slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "increase the burden" and "increase the pressure"?

"Increase the burden" generally refers to adding difficulty or responsibility, while "increase the pressure" focuses on adding stress or urgency. They are related but not interchangeable.