shoulder this burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder this burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of taking on responsibility or dealing with a difficult situation. Example: "In times of crisis, we must all come together to shoulder this burden and support one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We cannot and must not shoulder this burden alone.

The Washington Post

Today's military families shoulder this burden pretty much alone.

The New York Times

In Inkster, residents are asking why they will now be forced to shoulder this burden.

The Washington Post

Some authorities have reportedly refused to shoulder this burden and are considering charging schools for the legal costs of conversion.

The Guardian

In these times of decreased tax revenues and increased federal debt, the government simply cannot shoulder this burden.

The New York Times

It was clear to me that the international community must play a role to ensure that Jordan does not shoulder this burden alone.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"A solution was found in order not to let the situation deteriorate further while making it clear Malta cannot keep shouldering this burden". Three teenage migrants were charged in Malta last month after "hijacking" an oil tanker that had rescued them.

BBC

Washington should not shoulder this diplomatic burden alone, as it largely has until now.

The Washington Post

Most male MPs do not have to shoulder this financial burden.

The Guardian

"I cannot stand the fact that students are being used to shoulder this particular burden". Ms Jones said she wanted Welsh ministers to "protect the entire education budget just like it has the health budget, instead of making the sector fight over what money there is".

BBC

The disease is now poised to spread among low- and middle-income countries, where health systems are ill-equipped to shoulder this increased burden.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shoulder this burden", ensure the context clearly defines what the burden is and who is expected to bear it. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder this burden" when the responsibility is unclear or shared among multiple parties without specifying individual contributions. Be precise about who is bearing what portion of the burden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder this burden" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the acceptance or management of a responsibility or difficulty. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, from international relations to personal challenges. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shoulder this burden" is a common expression used to describe the act of taking on a responsibility or dealing with a difficult situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various writing contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "bear this responsibility" or "carry this load" exist, "shoulder this burden" effectively conveys the idea of accepting and managing a challenging task. Therefore, ensure clarity in your writing to prevent ambiguity and that the context defines who is expected to bear the burden. Overall, it's a useful and versatile phrase for expressing responsibility and commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear this responsibility

This alternative replaces "burden" with "responsibility", focusing on the duty aspect rather than the difficulty.

assume this responsibility

Focuses on the act of taking control and being accountable for the task.

carry this load

Uses "load" instead of "burden", implying a heavy weight or task to be managed.

undertake this obligation

Replaces "shoulder" with "undertake" and "burden" with "obligation", suggesting a formal acceptance of duty.

manage this difficulty

Shifts the focus to handling a problem effectively, rather than bearing a burden.

handle this challenge

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the task, presenting it as a challenge to overcome.

take on this commitment

This alternative highlights the voluntary acceptance of a task or responsibility.

deal with this problem

Offers a more general approach to addressing an issue, without necessarily implying a heavy burden.

address this issue

Suggests a formal and direct approach to resolving a specific problem.

grapple with this task

Emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in completing a task.

FAQs

What does it mean to "shoulder this burden"?

To "shoulder this burden" means to take on a responsibility or difficulty, implying a willingness to manage or carry it through.

What can I say instead of "shoulder this burden"?

You can use alternatives like "bear this responsibility", "carry this load", or "undertake this obligation" depending on the context.

Is "shoulder this burden" a formal or informal expression?

"Shoulder this burden" is a neutral expression that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news and media or business settings.

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

Example: "The community must come together to shoulder this burden of rebuilding after the disaster."