shift the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift the burden" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe the act of passing responsibility or work to someone else. For example, "John decided to shift the burden and assign the task to his colleague."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor does this rule shift the burden of proof.

Cornell University

Business groups say it would shift the burden to employers; organized labor says it would shift the burden to workers.

The New York Times

The government has started to shift the burden.

The Economist

Mr Darling proposes to shift the burden back again.

The Economist

Third, we need to shift the burden of proof.

The New York Times

In addition, such a rule would tend to shift the burden of proof.

Cornell University

It isn't right to shift the burden to him because he's a high-profile salesman".

The New Yorker

How else to shift the burden of taxation away from the young?

The Guardian

Campaigns and strikes may reduce or shift the burden of cuts here and there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Permissible presumptions and legal rules can shift the burden in various situations.

Britannica

Trump has so far favoured bilateral models that shift the burden of payment to allies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shift the burden", ensure the context clearly indicates who is transferring the burden and who is receiving it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating to whom the burden is being shifted. Omitting this information can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift the burden" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of transferring responsibility, obligation, or difficulty from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shift the burden" is a correct and widely used expression for describing the transfer of responsibility or obligation from one party to another. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness in written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a versatile application across various registers. To ensure clarity, it is crucial to specify both the source and recipient of the shifted burden. While the phrase is generally neutral, its implications can be either positive or negative depending on the context. Related phrases include "transfer the responsibility", "pass on the obligation", and "reallocate the onus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transfer the responsibility

Focuses specifically on moving accountability or duty.

pass on the obligation

Emphasizes handing over a mandatory requirement.

reallocate the onus

Highlights a formal redistribution of a duty or responsibility.

redistribute the load

Implies an even sharing of something that was previously uneven.

move the accountability

Directly indicates a shift in who is held responsible.

delegate the task

Specifically refers to assigning a piece of work to someone else.

assign the duty

Highlights the act of giving someone a specific task to perform.

offload the problem

Focuses on relieving oneself of a troublesome issue.

hand over the reins

Suggests relinquishing control or management.

outsource the work

Highlights the external delegation of tasks, often to a third party.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift the burden" to describe the act of transferring responsibility, work, or obligation from one party to another. For example: "The new policy aims to "shift the burden" of healthcare costs from employers to individuals".

What are some alternatives to "shift the burden"?

Alternatives include "transfer the responsibility", "pass on the obligation", or "reallocate the onus", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of transferring duties or obligations.

What is the difference between "shift the burden" and "reduce the burden"?

"Shift the burden" implies moving the responsibility or difficulty to someone else, whereas "reduce the burden" means lessening the difficulty or responsibility, often without transferring it to another party.

Is it appropriate to use "shift the burden" in formal writing?

Yes, "shift the burden" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing policies, responsibilities, or obligations in academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. The phrase is widely understood and accepted.