more onerous than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more onerous than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to compare two things and means that one thing is more burdensome, difficult, or troublesome than the other thing. Example: The new insurance policy is more onerous than the previous one as it requires more paperwork and has higher deductibles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That danger proved illusory; the others proved to be more onerous than anyone had imagined.

The New Yorker

But when they are enforced the consequences can be more onerous than it may appear.

The New Yorker

As lead singer, Michael's schedule was more onerous than that of his brothers.

The Guardian - Music

Historically, wars had been fought because the prospect of accommodation seemed more onerous than the consequences of defeat.

The New York Times - Books

Regulation in Europe remains more onerous than in the United States.Bureaucracy is not European entrepreneurs' only grumble.

The Economist

Mrs. Thompson said the remaining obstacles were "nothing more onerous than what we've already had to deal with".

The New York Times - Arts

"The marker now for Fairtrade city status is much more onerous than it was, but everybody knows about Fairtrade now.

The Guardian

Most placental mammals seem to give birth as if it were no more onerous than doing a big poo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The agreement, he said, was significantly more onerous than if the bishop had been prosecuted for a misdemeanor, which Mr. White likened to "a slap on the wrist".

The New York Times

In the electrolytic case atmospheric pollution is relatively easy to control, but liquid effluents and iron residues are more onerous than blast-furnace wastes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While such a transfer is technically possible, the rules governing it are more onerous than those that apply to withdrawals from an I.R.A.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing tasks or responsibilities, use "more onerous than" to clearly indicate which one presents a greater challenge or burden. For instance, "Managing the project alone was more onerous than delegating tasks to a team."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "more onerous than" might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "harder" or "tougher" when speaking with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more onerous than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun by indicating that something is more burdensome or difficult in comparison to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more onerous than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. It precisely conveys that one thing is more burdensome or difficult than another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct in written English and appropriate across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Academic writing. While effective in formal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "more difficult than" in casual conversations. The high frequency and quality of sources using this phrase underscore its reliability and usefulness in expressing comparative difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more burdensome than

Replaces "onerous" with "burdensome", focusing on the weight or difficulty imposed.

more difficult than

Uses a more general term "difficult" to describe the increased challenge.

more troublesome than

Focuses on the problematic or inconvenient aspect of the comparison.

more challenging than

Emphasizes the test or demand presented by the comparison.

more taxing than

Highlights the strain or drain caused by the subject in comparison.

more demanding than

Stresses the high requirements or expectations associated with the comparison.

a greater burden than

Shifts from an adjective comparison to a noun phrase emphasizing the load.

more oppressive than

Suggests a heavier, more controlling or restrictive nature in the comparison.

more grinding than

Implies a wearisome and relentless difficulty.

more laborious than

Highlights the effort and labor involved in the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "more onerous than" in a sentence?

"More onerous than" is used to compare two things, indicating that one is more burdensome or difficult than the other. For example: "The new regulations are "more onerous than" the previous ones."

What are some alternatives to "more onerous than"?

Alternatives include "more burdensome than", "more difficult than", or "more challenging than" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "more onerous than" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "more onerous than" is well-suited for formal writing due to its precise and professional tone. It is often found in legal, academic, and business contexts.

What's the difference between "more onerous than" and "more difficult than"?

While both phrases indicate a greater degree of challenge, "more onerous than" specifically implies a heavier burden or obligation, whereas "more difficult than" refers to the complexity or skill required.