overburdened with work

USAGE SUMMARY

"overburdened with work" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means being weighed down or overwhelmed by an excessive amount of work. Example: She was overburdened with work, juggling multiple projects with tight deadlines and barely having time to take breaks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Since the typing pool wasn't overburdened with work, occasionally some of us would be lent out for odd jobs.

The New York Times - Books

"He saw that I was overburdened with work, and he came to lighten my load, literally and figuratively," she said.

The New York Times - Style

The administrative staff is lacking, the progress report states, and the President's office is overburdened with work, as are the five vice presidents.

The New York Times

Although Tenniel was overburdened with work, and relations with the pernickety and exacting Dodgson were often fraught, he brilliantly rendered the curiouser and curiouser world of Alice.

The Guardian - Books

Another study found that people who are overburdened with work tend to have a worse sense of wellbeing than those who are more relaxed.

The Guardian - Money

The video will run about 4 1/2 minutes, and will tell the story of a yuppie stockbroker who freaks out in his office one day because he is overburdened with work.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A backhanded compliment, certainly - the current top 10 is hardly overburdened with works of musical genius - but you can only marvel at Fever's money-making efficiency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company has a reverence for its own history that can make its repertory appear overburdened with past work.

The Guardian

While lay counsellors have been absorbed into the health care system under the task shifting policy, there is evidence that they are overburdened with HCT work as well as other administration and auxiliary duties due to staff shortages.

BMC Health Services Research

When I wasn't overburdened with school or work, I often sang, programmed, experimented with magic tricks, or played games online such as Chess and Go (on Yahoo games).

University of California, Berkeley

As a result, Front Line Health Workers (FHWs) were overburdened with data documentation work, and there were long delays in data capturing.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overburdened with work", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and impact of the excessive workload. Be specific about the consequences, such as decreased productivity or increased stress.

Common error

Avoid using "overburdened with work" without specifying the type of work or the reasons for the overload. Providing details makes the statement more impactful and understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overburdened with work" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being excessively burdened by professional duties. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overburdened with work" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of being overwhelmed by excessive professional duties. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase functions as an adjectival modifier and is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While semantically similar alternatives such as "swamped with work" or "overloaded with tasks" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the type of work and its impact to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swamped with work

Emphasizes being flooded or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks.

overloaded with tasks

Highlights the excessive number of tasks creating the burden.

bogged down with work

Suggests being trapped or slowed down by the amount of work.

buried in work

Implies being completely immersed and overwhelmed by work, almost unable to cope.

under a mountain of work

Uses a metaphor to describe the overwhelming quantity of work.

stretched too thin

Focuses on the feeling of being spread out and unable to dedicate enough attention to each task.

up to one's neck in work

An idiomatic expression indicating being deeply involved and overwhelmed.

drowning in work

Expresses a feeling of being overwhelmed to the point of helplessness.

snowed under with work

Indicates being overwhelmed by a large accumulation of work, often suddenly.

consumed by work

Suggests that work is taking up all of one's time and energy.

FAQs

What does "overburdened with work" mean?

The phrase "overburdened with work" describes a state of being overwhelmed or excessively burdened by the amount of work one has. It implies a situation where the workload is unmanageable or causing significant stress.

How can I use "overburdened with work" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The team was "overburdened with work" due to the sudden increase in client requests." or "She felt "overburdened with work" after taking on multiple additional projects."

What are some alternatives to "overburdened with work"?

Alternatives include "swamped with work", "overloaded with tasks", or "bogged down with work". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "overburdened by work" or "overburdened with work"?

Both "overburdened by work" and "overburdened with work" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "overburdened with work" might slightly emphasize the sheer volume or nature of the work itself.