shoulder me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder me" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect or unclear.
It could be used in a metaphorical sense to ask someone to support or carry a burden, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "When times get tough, I hope you can shoulder me through the challenges ahead."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I imagined him looking over my shoulder, me asking him how he wanted this to go.

The New York Times - Magazine

The following conversation took place with my arm around Keith's shoulder: Me, pointing to the skyscraper: "Notice the great colors and interesting fenestration".

The New York Times

7: (silently sneaks up behind me and taps me on the shoulder) Me: Yes? 7: (whispers into my ear) Do not trust Siri.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Despite my efforts to advance, I kept drifting toward one side, until a solid-looking man in a leather jacket shouldered me out of the line and into a mud puddle.

The New Yorker

Shortly after I found myself in a support group, teamed up with a therapist, and surrounded by a new network of friends shouldering me as I limped along.

Huffington Post

A fellow traveler shouldered me out of the way as what looked like his entire extended family dead relatives included charged forward.

Vice

"My family, if they find out, they going to cold-shoulder me, that is my fear…I prefer not to tell them because I know they are going to humiliate me, then I prefer not to say anything".

BMC Public Health

He demonstrated, winding up shoulder to shoulder with me, looking up at me sideways, his head cocked, all innocence.

The New Yorker

'People cold-shoulder me.

The Guardian

It was also for my team-mates who were shoulder to shoulder with me.

BBC

What on earth to say — with those five stars in pentimento on his shoulders, me a nineteen-year-old college student.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to use the phrase metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys your intended meaning to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder me" to describe physically supporting someone. It can sound awkward. Instead, use phrases like "help me carry this" or "support me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder me" functions as a verb + object construction. However, it's not a standard or widely recognized grammatical structure. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect or unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "shoulder me" might seem intuitively understandable, it's not a standard or grammatically sound expression in English. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage is limited and can be considered incorrect. It's better to opt for more conventional alternatives like "support me", "help me", or "carry me", depending on the intended nuance. Although examples can be found in news and scientific contexts, they are infrequent. Therefore, clear and effective communication requires selecting more established and easily understood phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support me

Focuses on providing emotional or practical assistance.

carry me

Implies taking on a significant burden or responsibility.

help me

A general term for providing assistance.

aid me

Suggests formal or official assistance.

assist me

Similar to 'help me', but slightly more formal.

stand by me

Emphasizes loyalty and unwavering support.

be there for me

Highlights emotional availability and support.

back me up

Suggests providing support in a challenging situation.

bolster me

Indicates strengthening or reinforcing one's position or morale.

sustain me

Implies providing long-term support and resources.

FAQs

What does "shoulder" mean when used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "shoulder" refers to bearing responsibility or burden. It's often used in phrases like "shoulder the blame" or "shoulder the responsibility". Using it as "shoulder me" is not standard and can sound unnatural.

What can I say instead of "shoulder me" to ask for support?

You can use alternatives like "support me", "help me", or "stand by me" depending on the specific context.

Is "shoulder me" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "shoulder me" is not a standard English phrase. It's better to use established expressions that clearly convey your intended meaning, like asking someone to "support me".

How can I use "shoulder" correctly in a sentence?

Use "shoulder" in established idioms like "shoulder the burden", or "put your shoulder to the wheel". Avoid using it in unconventional ways like "shoulder me" unless the context is highly specific and intentionally creative.