onerous burden

USAGE SUMMARY

'onerous burden' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to indicate a task or responsibility that is difficult to fulfil, so it can be used to describe a heavy load of responsibility or a difficult challenge that one must face. Example sentence: "John felt an onerous burden as he was expected to take on the leadership role at such a young age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a totally onerous burden.

The New York Times

It is an onerous burden for Mr. Parsons.

The New York Times

"I don't think that's an onerous burden on anybody," he said.

The Guardian

Klatok had accepted the onerous burden of their mission with a fervent desire to deliver justice.

Nature

During the last decade he took on the onerous burden of keeping the British heavyweight division alive.

Independent

Why should everyone, even those who just don't feel like it, labour under the onerous burden of a duty to "create"?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

There are sensible ways to generate revenue without imposing unfair and onerous burdens.

The New York Times

"We wanted to avoid imposing onerous burdens on people just for us to collect small amounts of revenue".

The New York Times

All that is needed now is temporary relief from the onerous burdens involving benefit funds placed on it by Congress.

The New York Times

Digging out the driveway and a vehicle or two from under several feet of snow must rank among the more onerous burdens of a blizzard.

The New York Times

"In adding onerous burdens of cost and inefficiency, the proposal would make it more difficult for companies to prosper and grow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "onerous burden", consider specifying the actor bearing the burden and the nature of the burden. This provides clarity and enhances the impact of the phrase. For example, "The new regulations placed an onerous burden on small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "onerous burden" when simply describing a standard or expected difficulty. The phrase implies a level of unjustness or excessiveness that may not always be present. If something is just difficult, use terms like "challenging task" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onerous burden" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "onerous" modifies the noun "burden". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing something that is difficult and oppressive. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "onerous burden" is a commonly used phrase to describe a responsibility or task that is excessively difficult and often unfair. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in formal writing, especially within News & Media, Academia and Science. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the connotations of unjust difficulty. Alternatives like "heavy load" or "difficult task" may be more appropriate in situations that are simply challenging without the added implication of unfairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy load

Simpler phrasing, focuses on the weight of the obligation.

crushing responsibility

Emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact.

oppressive obligation

Implies a sense of being weighed down and restricted.

demanding responsibility

Emphasizes the high expectations and requirements involved.

difficult task

Highlights the challenging nature of the assigned work.

formidable challenge

Highlights the difficulty and the need for significant effort.

taxing duty

Focuses on the draining effect of the obligation.

grueling undertaking

Highlights the exhausting and protracted nature of the task.

strenuous obligation

Focuses on the intense effort required.

debilitating weight

Implies the burden saps strength or energy.

FAQs

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

You can use "onerous burden" to describe a difficult or oppressive responsibility. For example, "The new regulations placed an "onerous burden" on small businesses", or "He felt the "onerous burden" of leadership weighing him down".

What are some alternatives to "onerous burden"?

Alternatives include "heavy load", "crushing responsibility", or "difficult task" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "onerous burden" formal or informal?

"Onerous burden" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional writing, news articles, or academic papers. It might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

What makes a burden "onerous"?

A burden is considered "onerous" when it's not just difficult, but also unfairly or excessively demanding. It suggests that the burden is unjust or creates significant hardship for the person or entity bearing it.