onerous to read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "onerous to read" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a text or document that is difficult, burdensome, or tedious to read due to its complexity or length. Example: "The legal contract was so onerous to read that I had to take frequent breaks to understand its terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Books

Balbin is also planning to optimize it for financial, medical and legal documents, which are often very long and onerous to read.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"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

A formal home loan is onerous to subprime borrowers in efficient markets.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

In the meantime, what was once considered too onerous to be implemented now seems unavoidable.

Science Magazine

That is just too onerous to fit into an appointment.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a text that requires significant effort or concentration to understand, use "onerous to read" to convey the burden it places on the reader. For a less formal tone, consider "difficult to read".

Common error

Avoid using "onerous to read" too frequently, especially in informal contexts. While accurate, it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to read" or "difficult to understand" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onerous to read" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (implied: the subject of reading, like a book, document, etc). It describes the quality of something being difficult or burdensome to read. Ludwig examples show this phrase in news and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onerous to read" effectively conveys the idea that a text is burdensome and difficult to comprehend. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and primarily used in news and science contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "difficult to read", "onerous to read" adds a layer of formality. Therefore, while accurate in many situations, writers should consider their audience and the overall tone to avoid sounding overly pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to read

This alternative is more general, simply indicating a lack of ease in reading.

challenging to read

This alternative suggests that the reading requires effort and problem-solving skills.

laborious to read

This alternative emphasizes the amount of work and effort involved in reading.

tedious to read

This alternative focuses on the boring and monotonous nature of the reading experience.

cumbersome to read

This alternative highlights the awkward or unwieldy nature of the text, making it difficult to navigate.

heavy to read

This alternative suggests that the content is serious and requires mental effort.

tiresome to read

This alternative emphasizes the draining and exhausting effect of the reading.

demanding to read

This alternative indicates that the text requires a high level of attention and focus.

taxing to read

This alternative suggests that the reading puts a strain on mental resources.

weighty to read

This alternative focuses on the importance and significance of the reading material, which can make it feel substantial.

FAQs

What does "onerous to read" mean?

The phrase "onerous to read" means that something is difficult, burdensome, or taxing to read. It suggests that the act of reading requires considerable effort or concentration.

What can I say instead of "onerous to read"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to read", "challenging to read", or "laborious to read" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "onerous to read" formal or informal?

"Onerous to read" is generally considered a more formal expression. In less formal settings, phrases like "hard to read" or "tough to read" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "onerous to read" in a sentence?

You can use "onerous to read" to describe texts such as legal documents, academic papers, or technical manuals. For example: "The legal contract was so "onerous to read" that I needed to take frequent breaks."