light burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "light burden" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a responsibility or obligation that is not too heavy or demanding. For example, "The new project was a light burden compared to her previous workload." Alternative expressions include "easy load," "minor responsibility," and "small weight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Blasphemy in Pakistan carries the death sentence but, despite this harsh penalty, has a remarkably light burden of proof.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the old days that would have been seen as a light burden for a company of its size and profitability.

The Guardian - Business

And because they had fewer puking infants, and not many toothless oldies to look after, they enjoyed the fruits of an unusually light burden of dependency.

The Economist

Compared with a world where the public bays for blood, the innocent cry out for mercy killing, and glaring bare light bulbs abound (in the future, apparently, there are no lampshades), the slashing rain that fell day after day in Edinburgh seemed a comparatively light burden to bear.

The New York Times

As long as equity prices remained strong, the extra leverage seemed a light burden to bear.

Forbes

On the surface, the amount of effort, time and energy it takes to become a rapper seems like a light burden.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Light Burdens, Heavy Blessings: Challenges of Church and Culture in the Post Vatican II Era.

Yale University

The authors accept that light burdens might have been missed during these post-mortem examinations but it is highly unlikely that this would have happened with heavy infestations.

BMC Veterinary Research

But the biggest prosecutorial advantage in an adjudication bureau is a lighter burden of proof.

The New York Times

"Pray not for a lighter burden but a stronger back," the note said.

The New York Times - Travel

I will still be entering that abyss, but with a lighter burden.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "light burden" when you want to convey that a task, responsibility, or obligation is not particularly difficult or demanding. It suggests a sense of ease and manageability.

Common error

Avoid using "light burden" when you actually mean something is unimportant or insignificant. While a "light burden" is easy to manage, it still implies a responsibility that needs to be addressed, unlike something that can be disregarded entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light burden" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'light' modifies the noun 'burden'. It describes the nature or characteristic of a burden, indicating that it's not heavy or difficult to bear. Ludwig's examples show its usage in describing taxes, traffic, and regulatory demands.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "light burden" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that denotes a task, responsibility, or obligation that is not particularly difficult or demanding. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. While "light burden" might not be as ubiquitous as more common phrases, it appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "light burden", ensure you are conveying a sense of ease and manageability, not simply implying that something is unimportant. Alternative phrases like "easy responsibility" or "minor obligation" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy responsibility

Focuses on the easiness associated with the responsibility, emphasizing the lack of difficulty.

minor obligation

Highlights the insignificance of the obligation, suggesting it's not a major concern.

small load

Emphasizes the minimal amount of effort or resources required.

manageable task

Indicates that the task is within one's capabilities and not overwhelming.

simple duty

Suggests the duty is straightforward and requires little complexity.

slight encumbrance

Implies a minimal level of being burdened or hindered by something.

minimal demand

Stresses the low level of requirement or expectation.

painless task

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty or unpleasantness involved in the task.

effortless undertaking

Highlights the easiness and lack of strain associated with the task.

trivial weight

Focuses on the insignificance of the burden, describing it as unimportant.

FAQs

How can I use "light burden" in a sentence?

You can use "light burden" to describe a task or responsibility that is not particularly difficult or demanding. For example, "Compared to managing the entire project, this task is a "light burden"".

What is a synonym for "light burden"?

Alternatives to "light burden" include "easy responsibility", "minor obligation", or "small load". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "light burden"?

Use "light burden" when you want to emphasize that something is not causing significant stress or difficulty. It's suitable for situations where a task or responsibility is manageable and not overwhelming.

What's the difference between "light burden" and "heavy burden"?

"Light burden" describes something easy to manage, while "heavy burden" describes something difficult and stressful. For instance, "Taking care of a plant is a "light burden", unlike caring for a pet that requires constant attention, which is a "heavy burden"".