less of a burden

USAGE SUMMARY

"less of a burden" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a task or obligation that is easier or less demanding than it once was. For example: "With the help of his new assistant, completing the project was less of a burden than it had been before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's at least less of a burden than a lawsuit.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Debt is less of a burden" for households, he said.

The New York Times

Arguably, solar homes are less of a burden to the grid, so maybe they should pay less to be connected.

University of California, Berkeley

Spending on raw materials and currency hedging will be less of a burden on earnings than in 2005, he said.

The New York Times

"This has the advantages of much better use of time," he said, "and much less of a burden on candidates.

The Guardian

Is there less of a burden on him now because so many other Devils forwards can score?

The New York Times - Sports

The technical inadequacies of healthcare.gov may prove less of a burden than the political damage that has been done.

The New Yorker

Economists understand this premium assistance to be a subsidy to layoffs, making them cheaper and less of a burden.

The New York Times

"My family could have managed it," he said, "but this was so much less of a burden, it's amazing".

The New York Times

In the late 20th century, computers and electronic date interchange (EDI) have made documentation less of a burden.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While details about the bill are sparse, it aims to be less of a burden on industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure the subject experiencing "less of a burden" is clearly identified. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "less of a burden" when referring to emotional burdens unless the context clearly indicates a tangible reduction in responsibility or obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a burden" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a reduction in difficulty or responsibility. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes a state of being or a quality that something possesses. For example, 'Debt is less of a burden'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of a burden" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a reduction in difficulty, responsibility, or effort. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently across various contexts, especially in news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While semantically similar alternatives like "lighter load" or "reduced strain" exist, "less of a burden" offers a broad and widely accepted way to communicate alleviation or simplification. When using the phrase, it is important to ensure that the context is clear, and the subject experiencing reduced burden is well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lighter load

Emphasizes a reduction in the amount of weight or responsibility.

reduced strain

Highlights a decrease in pressure or stress.

easier task

Focuses on the simplicity and reduced difficulty of the work involved.

smaller obligation

Highlights a reduction in the duties or commitments required.

diminished responsibility

Emphasizes a decrease in accountability or oversight.

less demanding

Focuses on the reduction of requirements or expectations.

more manageable

Highlights the increased ease of handling or controlling something.

alleviated pressure

Focuses on easing the stress or urgency associated with a task.

simplified process

Emphasizes the streamlined and less complicated nature of the procedure.

relieved of duty

Highlights the removal of assigned tasks or responsibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "less of a burden" to describe something that has become easier or requires less effort. For example, "The new software made the task "less of a burden" than before".

What are some alternatives to "less of a burden"?

Alternatives to "less of a burden" include phrases such as "lighter load", "reduced strain", or "easier task" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less of a burden"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "less of a burden". It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "less of a burden" and "lighter load"?

While both phrases imply a reduction in difficulty, "less of a burden" generally refers to a reduction in responsibility or obligation, while "lighter load" often refers to a reduction in the amount of weight or effort required.