major strain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major strain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of stress or pressure in various contexts, such as physical, emotional, or situational challenges. Example: "The major strain of balancing work and family responsibilities has taken a toll on her health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There was a major strain gone in not having to move furniture, unpack, set up everything, get utilities established.

The New York Times

With interest-rate spreads set to remain very high, despite monetary easing, servicing existing debts will be a major strain on household budgets.

The Economist

■ A possible influx of immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria next month could put a major strain on the state school system, which he admitted was "very brittle in parts".

The Guardian

George Northcott, Co-Founder and Head of Business Development, Founders Factory, said: "Building a startup is incredibly hard and every founder feels major strain in terms of capital, time and expertise.

The Guardian

What place can there be for a book about the large struggles and little glories of a teacher, at a time when teacher bashing has become a major strain, even the dominant strain, of what passes for "education reform"?

The New Yorker

Observers had long considered Iran's subsidy system, implemented during the Iran-Iraq War, a major strain on the Iranian economy since it encouraged wasteful consumption and drained state finances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adelaide was declared the hottest city in the world by the United Nations World Meteorological Organisationn, with the temperature hitting 44.2C High electricity use and generation plant outages put a major strain on electricity supplies, with Victorians using almost twice the average amount of power for a January weekday.

The Guardian

Spain has won its three Cups in 2000, 2004 and 2008, all Olympic years, which is probably no coincidence considering that overstuffed Olympic years put a major strain on tennis stars and inevitably favor the nations with the biggest reserves of able and willing talent.

The New York Times - Sports

As Mr Sanchez observes, conservatives have their own stories about why their political preferences do not prevail.This has long been a major strain in conservative thinking: Everyone would see that our views are just simple common sense obviously correct!—if not for a liberal media cabal systematically lying to people all day.

The Economist

Evolution of major strain and strain ratio were used as metrics in the analysis.

Composite Structures

The extensometers recorded major strain changes of 10−7 during three sub-Plinian eruptions and subsequent magma effusion.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing pressure on a system or resource, consider whether "major strain" accurately reflects the severity and potential consequences. If the impact is more nuanced, consider alternatives like "significant pressure" or "considerable stress".

Common error

Avoid using "major strain" in overly casual settings. While grammatically correct, its formal tone might feel out of place in informal conversation; opt for simpler language like "big pressure" or "lot of stress" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major strain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "major" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "strain". Ludwig AI shows it describes something experiencing significant stress or pressure, either literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major strain" is a versatile phrase used to describe significant pressure or stress. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. While appropriate for formal and professional settings, consider alternative phrasing like "significant pressure" or "considerable stress" to suit the tone of your writing. Avoid overuse in casual conversation where simpler language is more appropriate. When using the term, ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the impact you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major burden

Directly replaces 'strain' with 'burden' to emphasize the weight carried.

great stress

Great replaces major and keeps the meaning.

significant pressure

Emphasizes the intensity of force or burden applied.

considerable stress

Highlights the substantial level of mental or emotional tension.

substantial burden

Focuses on the heavy load or responsibility involved.

primary type

Shifts the context to denote the most dominant or prevalent variety.

dominant form

Similar to "primary type", but with a focus on outward appearance or characteristic.

key challenge

Reframes the 'strain' as a significant obstacle to overcome.

severe difficulty

Highlights the intensity of a problematic situation or obstacle.

significant impact

Emphasizes the notable effect or influence resulting from something.

FAQs

How can I use "major strain" in a sentence?

You can use "major strain" to describe a significant pressure or burden on something. For example, "The influx of refugees put a "major strain" on the country's resources."

What are some alternatives to "major strain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant pressure", "considerable stress", or "substantial burden".

Is it appropriate to use "major strain" in formal writing?

Yes, "major strain" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing impacts on systems, resources, or relationships. It conveys a serious and significant level of pressure.

What is the difference between "major strain" and "minor strain"?

"Major strain" indicates a significant degree of pressure or difficulty, while "minor strain" suggests a lesser, less impactful degree of the same. The choice depends on the severity of the effect being described.