onerous to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "onerous to learn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult or burdensome to learn, often implying that the effort required is significant. Example: "The new software is quite complex and can be onerous to learn for those who are not tech-savvy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

6 Factors such as whether the technique is too complex or too onerous to learn, and the strength of physician or patient preferences might critically affect its adoption.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And the novel, overall, is not onerous to read.

The New York Times - Books

Therefore, it is unnecessarily onerous to take on the fight for new ideas, replacing old well-established and tested ones.

European Journal of Futures Research

The systems for reporting misdemeanors are onerous It is the quiet ones who want to learn and don't complain that I lose sleep about.

The Guardian

"In which the reader learns to what degree conjugal affection may become onerous to an unfortunate woman whose thoughts are bent on her lover" — run over that, and you know just what sort of book to expect.

The New Yorker

"Virtual colonoscopy" sounds less onerous to some people.

The New York Times - Health

First, the $100 million penalty is hardly onerous to Merrill.

The New York Times

We didn't think it was onerous to wait 30 to 60 seconds for your car".

The New York Times

The emancipation, when it came, was onerous to the peasants, proving the radicals right.

The New Yorker

It was a nothing task, yet it felt incredibly onerous to me.

The New York Times

Does that sound "onerous" to you?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "onerous to learn", consider the audience's perspective. If the learning curve is genuinely steep, be upfront about it. If it's merely perceived as such, try framing it as a challenging but rewarding experience.

Common error

Avoid using "onerous to learn" when the task is only mildly challenging. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact and make you seem exaggerating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onerous to learn" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, often describing a task, subject, or skill. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes something that is difficult or burdensome to learn. The Ludwig examples show this phrase can also form part of a larger sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onerous to learn" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that is burdensome or difficult to learn. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and is found in both scientific and news contexts. While not a very common phrase, alternatives such as "difficult to grasp" or "challenging to master" may be considered depending on the intended nuance. When using this phrase, it is important to accurately represent the difficulty involved to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex to learn

Focuses on the intricacy of the subject matter.

difficult to grasp

Focuses on the challenge of understanding the material.

challenging to master

Emphasizes the effort required to achieve proficiency.

hard to pick up

Highlights the initial difficulty in acquiring the skill or knowledge.

laborious to acquire

Stresses the amount of work involved in gaining knowledge.

demanding to understand

Highlights the high cognitive effort required.

formidable to comprehend

Indicates a significant challenge in understanding.

troublesome to assimilate

Focuses on the difficulty of integrating new information.

awkward to learn

Emphasizes the uncomfortable or unnatural feeling during learning.

tedious to study

Highlights the boring or monotonous nature of the learning process.

FAQs

What does "onerous to learn" mean?

The phrase "onerous to learn" describes something that is difficult or burdensome to learn, often implying a significant effort is required. It suggests that the learning process is not easy or straightforward.

How can I use "onerous to learn" in a sentence?

You can use "onerous to learn" to describe a subject, skill, or software that is particularly challenging. For example, "The new software is quite complex and can be "difficult to master" for those who are not tech-savvy."

What are some alternatives to "onerous to learn"?

Some alternatives include "challenging to master", "difficult to grasp", or "hard to pick up". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "onerous to learn"?

Use "onerous to learn" when you want to emphasize the difficulty and burden associated with learning something. It's suitable when the learning process involves significant effort, time, or cognitive load.