put a strain on

USAGE SUMMARY

'put a strain on' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when referring to something that is causing difficulty or hardship. For example, "The economic downturn has put a strain on many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific alternatives if the context allows. For instance, instead of saying "the project put a strain on our team", you could say "the project increased the workload for our team" or "the project challenged our team's resources" for more precision.

Common error

Avoid using "put a strain on" when simply referring to everyday stress. "Strain" implies a more significant burden or pressure that could potentially lead to damage or failure, not just mild stress. For example, prefer "The deadline caused stress" over "The deadline put a strain on me" if the situation isn't severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a strain on" functions as a verb phrase that typically takes a noun phrase as its object. It describes the act of causing difficulty, pressure, or hardship on something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put a strain on" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe something causing difficulty or pressure. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify what is experiencing the strain. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "exert pressure on" or "place a burden on", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey for the most precise communication. Avoid using "put a strain on" for mild stress; reserve it for more significant burdens.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a burden on

Highlights the imposition of a heavy load or responsibility, altering the nuance from general difficulty to a specific weight.

exert pressure on

Emphasizes the application of force or influence, differing slightly in its focus on active force rather than consequential difficulty.

place demands on

Highlights the act of requiring effort or resources, changing the focus to the demands made rather than the strain experienced.

create difficulties for

Focuses on the creation of problems, changing the emphasis from the experience of strain to the act of causing it.

cause hardship for

Emphasizes the severity of the impact, suggesting significant suffering or privation rather than general pressure.

weigh heavily on

Implies a psychological or emotional burden, shifting the context from general difficulty to mental or emotional stress.

tax the resources of

Specifically refers to depleting or overusing available resources, narrowing the scope from general strain to resource depletion.

stretch to the limit

Suggests pushing something to its breaking point, altering the sense from gradual strain to near-exhaustion.

stress the importance of

Emphasizes highlighting the importance and relevance of an item or situation. In general it is used to change the perception of a certain issue.

challenge the capacity of

Focuses on testing the limits of someone's or something's ability, thus describing the effect it has on this ability, instead of the emotion and burden of the item or situation

FAQs

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

You can use "put a strain on" to describe something that is causing difficulty or hardship. For example, "The increased workload "put a strain on" the team's morale".

What can I say instead of "put a strain on"?

You can use alternatives like "exert pressure on", "place a burden on", or "create difficulties for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put a stress on" instead of "put a strain on"?

While "stress" and "strain" are related, "put a stress on" is less common and can sound awkward. "Put a strain on" generally implies a more significant burden or pressure, so consider the context when choosing the appropriate phrase.

What's the difference between "put a strain on" and "put pressure on"?

"Put pressure on" generally refers to actively influencing or pushing something, while "put a strain on" refers to causing difficulty or hardship. For example, you might "put pressure on" a company to lower prices, which could then ""put a strain on"" their resources.