put a strain

USAGE SUMMARY

"put a strain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a situation that is difficult or puts stress on a person or thing. For example, "The new regulations have put a strain on businesses in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obviously, it's put a strain on our friendship".

The New York Times - Sports

It isn't migrants who put a strain on our NHS..

The Guardian

That, in turn, has put a strain on fish populations.

The Washington Post

Weekend evenings might put a strain on the kitchen's timing.

The New York Times

Still, the flood put a strain on them all.

The New York Times

This has put a strain on my wintertime relationships.

The New York Times

I was afraid that it would put a strain on my marriage.

The New York Times

That has put a strain on reservists, their families and their civilian employers.

The New York Times

The purpose of the offensive, it is clear, is to put a strain on Israeli morale.

The New York Times

It has put a strain on its ability to provide services to all the newcomers.

The Guardian

David has lived a life that would put a strain on anyone's memory.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put a strain", be specific about what is being strained and what is causing the strain to provide clear context.

Common error

Avoid using "put a strain" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "burden", "stress", or "pressure" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a strain" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of causing stress, pressure, or difficulty on someone or something. Ludwig confirms this by presenting numerous examples demonstrating the phrase's use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put a strain" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes the act of causing stress, pressure, or difficulty. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While grammatically straightforward and widely accepted, it's important to use the phrase precisely, specifying what is being strained and the cause of the strain. Alternatives such as "place a burden on" or "exert pressure on" can add variety to your writing, but "put a strain" remains a clear and effective way to convey the imposition of difficulty or pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a burden on

Uses "burden" instead of "strain", emphasizing the weight or difficulty imposed.

exert pressure on

Replaces "strain" with "pressure", highlighting the force applied.

place stress on

Substitutes "strain" with "stress", indicating a mental or emotional load.

impose hardship on

Emphasizes the difficulty caused, using "hardship" instead of "strain".

create difficulties for

Focuses on the act of creating problems or obstacles.

cause problems for

Highlights the negative consequences or issues that arise.

impact negatively on

Emphasizes the adverse effects produced.

take its toll on

Indicates that something is suffering or deteriorating over time.

have repercussions for

Focuses on the consequences or aftereffects of an action.

weigh heavily on

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the sense of burden or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "put a strain" in a sentence?

You can use "put a strain" to indicate that something is creating difficulty or pressure on someone or something. For example, "The increased workload put a strain on the team's resources".

What are some alternatives to saying "put a strain"?

Alternatives to "put a strain" include phrases like "place a burden on", "exert pressure on", or "impose hardship on".

Is it correct to say "put a strain on" or "put strain on"?

The correct phrasing is "put a strain on". The inclusion of the article "a" is necessary for proper grammatical structure.

How does "put a strain" differ from "create difficulties"?

"Put a strain" often suggests an existing resource or relationship is being tested, while "create difficulties for" simply indicates the emergence of new problems or obstacles.