shouldered the burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shouldered the burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone taking on a responsibility or hardship, often implying a sense of duty or sacrifice. Example: "After the sudden loss of their leader, the team shouldered the burden of keeping the project on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Many of the Elders have shouldered the burden of government.

The Washington Post

"Pacific Overtures" shouldered the burden of history, not just happiness.

The New Yorker

The measure of Mr. Poitier's greatness is that he simultaneously shouldered the burden of representativeness and threw it off.

The New York Times

Athens will be host to the Olympic Games in 2004, and Mr Simitis has personally shouldered the burden of making them a success.

The Economist

Factories have shouldered the burden of an economy that slipped into recession in March, when employment peaked and declines in business spending deepened.

The New York Times

Same birthday party, where it was clear that some people just mouthed the words to "Happy Birthday" while others, including Mike Pence, shouldered the burden of singing it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Scandinavian crime writing has seldom shouldered the burdens of world history with such upfront ambition.

Independent

His father left when he was 13, he said, and the son soon shouldered the burdens of the absent parent.

The New York Times

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shouldered the burden", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific hardship or responsibility being undertaken. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "shouldered the burden" when the responsibility was willingly sought or benefited the individual. Reserve it for situations involving genuine sacrifice or hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shouldered the burden" functions as a verb phrase, where "shouldered" acts as the main verb indicating the action of taking on something difficult, and "the burden" serves as the direct object. Ludwig's examples show it commonly describes accepting responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shouldered the burden" is a frequently used verb phrase that effectively communicates the act of taking on a difficult responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its usage across various contexts, particularly in news, formal business settings, and academic writing. While versatile, it’s best suited for situations involving genuine hardship or sacrifice. Alternatives such as "took on the responsibility" or "bore the weight" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took on the responsibility

Focuses on the act of assuming responsibility, less emphasis on difficulty.

bore the weight

Emphasizes the heaviness and difficulty of the task.

assumed the duty

Highlights the obligatory nature of the task.

carried the load

Metaphorical, suggesting a heavy and continuous effort.

undertook the task

Focuses on starting and committing to a specific task.

embraced the challenge

Highlights a willing acceptance of a difficult situation.

accepted the responsibility

Similar to "took on the responsibility" but can imply a formal acceptance.

dealt with the problem

Focuses on managing or resolving a specific issue.

handled the difficulty

Emphasizes the management and resolution of a difficult situation.

grappled with the issue

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in addressing a complex issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "shouldered the burden" to describe someone taking on a difficult responsibility or task, as in, "After the company's failure, the new CEO "shouldered the burden" of rebuilding its reputation".

What's a good alternative to "shouldered the burden"?

Alternatives to "shouldered the burden" include phrases like "took on the responsibility", "bore the weight", or "assumed the duty", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "shouldered the burden" or "shared the burden"?

The choice between "shouldered the burden" and "shared the burden" depends on whether one person took on the responsibility alone or if it was divided among multiple people. "Shouldered" implies individual action, while "shared" indicates a collective effort.

What does it mean when someone has "shouldered the burden"?

When someone has ""shouldered the burden"", it means they have taken on a significant responsibility or hardship, often implying a sense of duty or sacrifice. They are the one carrying the weight of a difficult situation.