reduce the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the burden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that helps to make a situation less difficult or taxing. For example, "The government plans to reduce the burden of taxes on small businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reduce the burden of debt.

The New York Times

They also reduce the burden of debts.

The Guardian - Business

Let's instead reduce the burden of taxation.

The New York Times

Reduce the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, diarrhoea, pneumonia...".

The Guardian

It would reduce the burden on ordinary civilian courts.

The New York Times

Yoga may reduce the burden of such symptoms.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

The proposed tax changes would reduce the burden on companies by 20percentthis yearar.

The New York Times

Could pharmacists reduce the burden by helping to treat A&E patients suffering relatively minor conditions?

The Guardian

This will reduce the burden of updating HMRC for small businesses".

The Guardian

Both approaches could reduce the burden of opioid on the market.

The Guardian - Opinion

They also reduce the burden on police and hospital emergency departments.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the burden", consider the specific context to ensure the most accurate and impactful phrasing. For instance, in a financial context, you might "reduce the burden" of debt, while in a healthcare context, you could "reduce the burden" of a disease.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the burden" when the more appropriate action is to eliminate the cause of the burden entirely. Sometimes, a complete solution is better than a partial alleviation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the burden" functions as a verb phrase acting on a noun phrase, indicating an action performed to alleviate or lessen a weight, obligation, or difficulty. Ludwig shows examples in contexts ranging from financial debt to medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce the burden" is a versatile and commonly used expression for describing actions that alleviate difficulties or obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While alternatives like "alleviate the pressure" or "lessen the load" exist, "reduce the burden" maintains a neutral to professional tone suitable for diverse applications. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the intent to lessen—not necessarily eliminate—a specific difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lessen the load

Implies a decrease in the quantity or weight of something being carried or managed.

Decrease the obligation

Directly addresses a reduction in a binding requirement.

Ease the strain

Emphasizes reducing the adverse effects of pressure or effort.

Lighten the responsibility

Specifically addresses the reduction of duties or obligations.

Alleviate the pressure

Focuses on easing a feeling of stress or strain rather than a general obligation.

Relieve the stress

Centers on alleviating mental or emotional tension.

Mitigate the hardship

Highlights the reduction of suffering or difficulty caused by a challenging situation.

Take the weight off

An idiomatic expression suggesting the removal of a significant concern or duty.

Ameliorate the difficulty

Focuses on improving a challenging or problematic situation.

Cushion the impact

Highlights lessening the negative consequences of an event or action.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the burden" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the burden" to describe actions that lessen the impact of something difficult. For example, "The new policy aims to "reduce the burden" of student loan debt".

What phrases are similar to "reduce the burden"?

Alternatives include phrases like "alleviate the pressure", "ease the strain", or "lessen the load", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it better to "reduce the burden" or "eliminate the burden"?

While "reduce the burden" implies lessening the impact, eliminating the burden suggests a complete removal of the problem. The choice depends on whether a full resolution is possible or if only partial relief can be achieved.

What's the difference between "reduce the burden" and "lighten the load"?

"Reduce the burden" is often used in more formal contexts, while "lighten the load" can be seen as more informal. Both refer to making something easier to manage, but the first is generally broader in application.