Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
kind of onerous
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "kind of onerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat burdensome or difficult to deal with. Example: "The new regulations are kind of onerous for small businesses trying to comply."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(17)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
1500s: The American Revolutionary War begins: "The reason we fought the revolution in the sixteenth century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown".
News & Media
By Jack Hitt September 18 , 2012 1500s The American Revolutionary War begins: "The reason we fought the revolution in the sixteenth century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown".
News & Media
Then I checked Twitter again, and saw this update from Ryan: "Perry post-debate: 'Reason we fought the revolution in the 16th century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown.' " Uh, oh!
News & Media
Though ostensibly protecting in-state businesses, Massachusetts has potentially exposed them to the same kind of onerous, out-of-state intrusions that it has thrust upon Town Fair Tire.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
This kind of user tax will not be onerous because all drivers know that the price drop in the past 18 months has been an unexpected boon.
News & Media
Its thickly layered surface bespeaks long, onerous toil for a kind of effect that Picasso brought off with ease.
News & Media
A less onerous but still tenacious kind of post-traumatic stress disorder may develop as well, with recovered addicts and their families compulsively reliving the past in private — or, like David Sheff and his son Nic, in public.
News & Media
There's definitely a demand for this kind of service, but most sites are too onerous to use and provide little value until users pay a subscription fee.
News & Media
A new car can run in excess of $200,000 because of onerous taxes and permits.
News & Media
After the recent introduction of onerous new obligations, they are likely to face more.
News & Media
Unemployment insurance based on actuarial studies instead of onerous severance payments could be very helpful.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "kind of onerous", consider the context and audience. While acceptable, it might be more impactful to use a stronger, more direct synonym like "burdensome" or "difficult" for clarity and emphasis.
Common error
Avoid overusing "kind of" as it can weaken your writing. If something is truly onerous, stating it directly will have more impact. Reserve "kind of" for situations where you want to express a nuanced or hesitant opinion.
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "kind of onerous" functions as an adjectival modifier, softening the intensity of the adjective "onerous". It expresses a degree of difficulty or burden that is not overwhelming but still present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "kind of onerous" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests something is somewhat burdensome or difficult. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's relatively rare in usage. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, with a neutral to slightly informal tone. When writing, consider the context and audience; stronger synonyms may be more appropriate for formal or emphatic situations. Remember to avoid overusing "kind of" to maintain the impact of your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
somewhat burdensome
Replaces "kind of onerous" with a more direct expression of burden, implying a similar level of difficulty.
rather taxing
Substitutes "kind of onerous" with a phrase that emphasizes the draining or demanding aspect of something.
slightly oppressive
Replaces "kind of onerous" highlighting the feeling of being weighed down or controlled.
moderately challenging
Uses "challenging" instead of "onerous", softening the negative connotation while retaining the sense of difficulty.
a bit arduous
Employs "arduous" to convey a sense of difficulty and effort, similar to "onerous".
somewhat troublesome
Replaces "onerous" with a word emphasizing the inconvenience or difficulty caused.
a little cumbersome
Replaces "onerous" with "cumbersome", focusing on the awkwardness or complexity involved.
slightly demanding
Substitutes "onerous" with "demanding", emphasizing the effort required.
a touch weighty
Uses "weighty" metaphorically to describe the burden, differing in tone but retaining a similar meaning.
mildly oppressive
Emphasizes the sense of being weighed down, using milder synonyms to soften the impact compared to "onerous".
FAQs
What does "kind of onerous" mean?
The phrase "kind of onerous" means something is somewhat burdensome, difficult, or troublesome. It suggests that something isn't severely difficult, but it's not easy either.
What can I say instead of "kind of onerous"?
You can use alternatives like "somewhat burdensome", "rather taxing", or "slightly oppressive" depending on the context.
Is "kind of onerous" formal or informal?
The phrase "kind of onerous" leans towards the informal side due to the presence of "kind of". For more formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "burdensome" or "demanding".
How do I use "kind of onerous" in a sentence?
You can use "kind of onerous" to describe tasks, rules, or situations that are somewhat difficult or burdensome. For example: "The new regulations are "somewhat burdensome" for small businesses."
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested