put under strain

USAGE SUMMARY

"put under strain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where an object, person or relationship is under great stress or pressure. Example: The marriage between the couple was put under strain when they both had to start working long hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Seemingly bottomless boating budgets were put under strain, and membership waned.

The New York Times

Dam water levels are at 16.8% and falling, low enough that aquatic ecosystems are being put under strain.

The Guardian

Almost immediately, though, the Bright-Pollard alliance has been put under strain over the question of whether Michal Kaminski is an apologist for antisemitism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scarlett is dealing with an unexpected pregnancy after the father dies equally unexpectedly, and the story follows how the close friendship between the two girls is put under strain by the fallout.

The Guardian

The desire to repair the trans-Atlantic relationship, which was put under strain by the Iraq war, was one of the motivations that led Berlin to play host to the exhibition.

The New York Times - Arts

However, this common culture was put under strain by the attempts of physicists such as Oliver Lodge, to decouple their electrical researches from technological matters in order to pursue an agenda of so-called "pure science".

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The eyes are put under constant strain and stress - the more TV you watch, the more you stare at a computer screen, and the more you play games on your smartphone, the more stress you put on your eyes.

WikiHow

With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, air transport resources were put under great strain, and it was decided to reduce the requirement for it by pre-positioning non-nuclear components at locations in Europe and the Pacific.

Wikipedia

The population is put under enormous strain".

The New York Times

Cell towers are notoriously put under heavy strain around the holiday season.

The New Yorker

Malaysia's reputation as a progressive modern Muslim state was put under severe strain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put under strain", consider the specific type of pressure and its source to provide a more precise description. For example, instead of saying "the economy was put under strain", specify what caused the strain: "the economy was put under strain by rising inflation".

Common error

Avoid using "put under strain" as a default phrase for any type of challenge. Use more specific language that reflects the actual nature of the difficulty, such as "challenged by", "affected by", or "complicated by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put under strain" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the passive voice. It describes the action of subjecting something or someone to pressure or stress, often resulting in negative consequences or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put under strain" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of subjecting something or someone to pressure or stress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, although often found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's helpful to consider more specific language to reflect the actual nature of the difficulty or use other available alternatives depending on the specific situation. Some common alternatives are "subjected to pressure", "exposed to stress", and "placed under duress". By specifying the source and type of pressure, the impact of the strain will be more clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under considerable stress

Focuses on the state of experiencing stress rather than the act of applying it.

subjected to pressure

Focuses on the application of pressure rather than the resulting stress.

exposed to stress

Highlights the exposure to stress, a consequence of the strain.

placed under duress

Implies a more forceful or coercive application of pressure.

burdened with pressure

Emphasizes the weight or load of the pressure being applied.

pushed to the brink

Indicates being close to a breaking point due to intense pressure.

taxed to the limit

Suggests reaching a point where resources are nearly exhausted.

tested to the extreme

Highlights that a system, relationship or person has been tested to the limit.

operating at capacity

Highlights the fact that a system or a process cannot afford more burden.

encountering significant challenges

Highlights the existence of relevant issues and obstacles

FAQs

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

You can use "put under strain" to describe a situation where something or someone is experiencing significant pressure or stress. For example, "The sudden increase in demand "put the supply chain under strain"".

What can I say instead of "put under strain"?

You can use alternatives like "subjected to pressure", "exposed to stress", or "placed under duress" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "put under strain" or "put under stress"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Put under strain" often implies a continuous or prolonged pressure, while "put under stress" can refer to a more immediate or acute pressure.

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

"Put under pressure" generally refers to the act of applying force or influence, while "put under strain" describes the resulting condition of being stretched or stressed. They are often interchangeable, but "put under strain" emphasizes the effect of the pressure.