put a burden on

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "put a burden on" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to talk about the effects of a situation being difficult or stressful. For example, "The extra responsibilities put a burden on her already busy schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But big, persistent budget deficits also put a burden on people.

The Economist

I would prefer it to be commercial and not put a burden on the taxpayers".

The New York Times

"That would mean more kids, and he doesn't want to put a burden on the school district in Brentwood".

The New York Times

That would put a burden on the operating budget, which is already projected to run large deficits in coming years.

The New York Times

Conor says he doesn't know why he did so — "I was in a state of shock" — but knowing she could visit put a burden on Kate.

The New York Times - Magazine

"In some ways, I think we put a burden on women in the face of gender attacks that doesn't necessarily play out in the face of racist attacks".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But not only severe injuries put a burden of injury on society.

Injury Epidemiology

It puts a burden on the full-time staff".

The New York Times

It puts a burden on the quarterback, but he seems to be up to that task".

The New York Times - Sports

"It puts a burden on Bud that he doesn't really deserve," Wolff said.

The New York Times - Sports

That puts a burden on Christi Thomas, a 6-5 freshmand and the bench is not deep.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put a burden on", consider the specific type of burden you are describing (financial, emotional, logistical) and choose vocabulary that reflects that nuance for a more precise impact.

Common error

Avoid using "put a burden on" when a lighter term like "inconvenience" or "challenge" is more appropriate. Overstating the impact can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a burden on" functions as a verb phrase, where "put" is the verb and "a burden on" acts as the object, indicating the act of imposing a weight or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put a burden on" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is causing difficulty or stress. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely accepted in written English. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and general contexts to highlight the negative impact of actions or situations. When using the phrase, it’s important to consider the specific type of burden and choose vocabulary accordingly. Related phrases like "place a strain on" or "impose a hardship on" can provide alternative ways to express similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. Understanding the context and nuances of these alternatives ensures more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a strain on

Focuses on the stress or pressure applied.

add pressure to

Emphasizes the addition of pressure.

impose a hardship on

Highlights the difficulty or suffering caused.

weigh heavily on

Conveys a sense of emotional or mental burden.

create difficulties for

Focuses on the creation of challenging circumstances.

cause inconvenience to

Emphasizes the disruption or trouble caused.

exert pressure on

Highlights the active application of pressure.

present challenges to

Focuses on the difficulties that something introduces.

place demands on

Stresses the requirements or expectations created.

inflict a burden upon

A more formal way to express the idea of imposing a burden.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "put a burden on" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "impose a hardship on" or "inflict a burden upon" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

What are some less intense alternatives to "put a burden on"?

If the situation doesn't warrant a strong term, try alternatives such as "present challenges to" or "cause inconvenience to".

Is it always negative to "put a burden on" something?

While generally negative, "put a burden on" can sometimes be used to acknowledge necessary stress or responsibility, such as "place demands on resources during a crisis".

How does "put a strain on" differ from "put a burden on"?

"Put a strain on" and "put a burden on" are very similar, but "place a strain on" often implies a temporary or more manageable difficulty, while "put a burden on" suggests a heavier, more prolonged issue.