shoulder the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

"shoulder the burden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express taking responsibility for something, especially something negative or difficult. Example: After the company announced layoffs, I accepted the challenge to shoulder the burden of leading the remaining staff through the challenging times ahead.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Who Should Shoulder the Burden?

Harvard University

America should not shoulder the burden alone.

The Economist

The taxpayer will be left to shoulder the burden.

The New York Times

We are happy to help shoulder the burden.

The Guardian

Should corporate America's management also shoulder the burden?

Harvard Business Review

The question is who is best to shoulder the burden".

The Guardian

It means requiring everyone to shoulder the burden.

The New York Times

Throughout much of our history, Americans have been asked to shoulder the burden of war equally.

The New York Times

Forcing them to shoulder the burden of increased longevity seems unfair and impractical.

The New York Times

Their operators will also have to shoulder the burden of technical glitches.

MIT Technology Review

The individual must shoulder the burden of defining what his or her own contribution will be.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shoulder the burden" when you want to convey the idea of willingly or unwillingly accepting a difficult responsibility. For example, "The team had to shoulder the burden of completing the project after the lead developer left."

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder the burden" when someone is merely assisting with a task, not taking on the primary responsibility. For instance, instead of saying "He shouldered the burden of organizing the event" when he only helped, say "He assisted with organizing the event."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder the burden" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of accepting and managing a difficult responsibility. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, reinforcing its acceptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoulder the burden" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe accepting a difficult responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is seen most frequently in news and media, as well as formal business and academic contexts, indicating its wide applicability. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "bear the responsibility" and "take on the onus", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use it when the responsibility is substantial and potentially difficult, and avoid using it when the action is merely assistive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the responsibility

Focuses more directly on the responsibility aspect, downplaying the hardship.

take on the onus

Emphasizes the duty or obligation to do something, often suggesting it's unwelcome.

assume the liability

Highlights the acceptance of legal or financial responsibility.

carry the load

Suggests sharing a difficult task or responsibility within a group.

embrace the challenge

Implies a more positive and willing acceptance of a difficult task.

undertake the task

Focuses on the commencement and management of a specific duty.

accept accountability

Highlights the willingness to be responsible for the outcome.

take responsibility

A more general term for accepting duty or obligation.

handle the pressure

Emphasizes managing stress and expectations, often under difficult circumstances.

manage the difficulty

Focuses on overseeing and mitigating problems rather than bearing responsibility directly.

FAQs

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

You can use "shoulder the burden" to describe taking on a responsibility, especially a difficult or unpleasant one. For example, "The company expected its employees to "shoulder the burden" of the new cost-cutting measures."

What are some alternatives to "shoulder the burden"?

Alternatives include "bear the responsibility", "take on the onus", or "carry the load" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "shoulder the burden" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the situation and the intended message than the formality of the writing.

What's the difference between "shoulder the burden" and "share the burden"?

"Shoulder the burden" implies taking on a significant responsibility, whereas "share the burden" suggests distributing the responsibility among multiple parties. If you are talking about more than one person, consider alternatives such as "split the responsibility" or "divide the task".