shoulders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, often referring to the anatomical part of the body or metaphorically to indicate bearing a burden or responsibility. Example: "He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With its unexpected revival, Ripper Street has grown broader shoulders and a more confident gait, while retaining the stillness that made it so impressive in the first place.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In this view, those with the broadest shoulders take the pain while those on benefits don't enjoy increases higher than pay rises for those in work.

The Guardian

She seems in her element among rural voters, all smiles, pearls and a sweater slung over her shoulders.

The Guardian

Network Rail is scarred by courtroom verdicts of neglect and breaches of health and safety after it allowed crossings to remain open even though the risks were apparent, and shoulders blame for the deaths of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, at Elsenham in 2005.

The Guardian

Tate Modern became almost too popular for its own good, a heaving cultural souk – acutely in need of its planned extension – where art can occasionally be seen between massed heads and shoulders.

The Guardian - Arts

I went to the hospital to have the wounds cleaned on my face, shoulders, elbows, knees, hip and ankle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It actually takes you some time to work out what your neck and shoulders are supposed to feel like.

The Guardian

After a starter of cold duck's blood in a soup dish topped with golden, crisp fried shallots, we were served a huge platter of roasted carcass, and encouraged to toss the bones over our shoulders for the stray dogs to chew on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hodgson, asked about his captain's display and whether he may consider playing Welbeck alongside Sturridge instead in Basel, said: "The fact is it was a big night for Wayne, with a lot of responsibility weighing on his shoulders, not least with the penalty, which he knew he had to score to secure the win.

The Guardian - Sport

In those early days, bemused local drinkers rubbed shoulders with revelling now-generation teens and twenty somethings, bouncing to electroclash or rousing leftfield indie tunes.

The Guardian

I was raised walking around on the South Downs at weekends on my father's shoulders.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shoulders" metaphorically to describe responsibility, ensure the context clearly supports this interpretation. For instance, "The project's success rests on her shoulders" effectively conveys her pivotal role.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "shoulders" to describe burdens or responsibilities within the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "burden", "duty", or "accountability" for a more engaging and nuanced text.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shoulders" is as a noun, typically in its plural form. It refers to the anatomical part of the body or, metaphorically, the capacity to bear responsibility. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoulders" is a grammatically sound and common noun, frequently appearing in news and media. It functions both literally, referring to the body part, and metaphorically, signifying responsibility or bearing burdens. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. When writing, while its usage is widespread, vary your vocabulary by occasionally using related phrases like "responsibility" or "bearing responsibility" to enhance clarity and engagement. Be aware that overuse of the metaphoric use of "shoulders" within the same document can result in wordiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shoulder area

A simple and direct reference to the anatomical region of the "shoulders".

Bearing responsibility

More explicitly describes the act of carrying a burden, which "shoulders" implies metaphorically.

Bearing the weight

Emphasizes the supportive function, similar to the literal and figurative meanings of "shoulders".

Responsibility

Focuses on the abstract burden or duty that "shoulders" sometimes represents.

Accepting the task

Focuses on embracing a duty, an aspect of the responsibility "shoulders" can signify.

Burden

Highlights the weight or difficulty associated with tasks or obligations, similar to the metaphorical usage of "shoulders".

Taking the blame

Highlights accepting accountability, a specific type of burden that "shoulders" can represent.

Upper back

Emphasizes the anatomical aspect, referring to the region connected to the "shoulders".

Top of the arms

Identifies the "shoulders" as the connection between arms and torso.

Area around the neck

Describes the anatomical location near "shoulders".

FAQs

How can I use "shoulders" in a sentence?

You can use "shoulders" to refer to the body part, as in, "He shrugged his shoulders." Metaphorically, it can mean bearing responsibility, such as, "She carries the weight of the team on her shoulders."

What does it mean to "rub shoulders" with someone?

To "rub shoulders" with someone means to associate or come into contact with them, often implying mingling with famous or influential people. For example, "He rubbed shoulders with celebrities at the event."

What is a synonym for "shoulders" when referring to responsibility?

When "shoulders" refers to responsibility, you can use "burden" or "responsibility" as synonyms. For instance, instead of "the weight on his shoulders", you could say "the burden of leadership".

Is it correct to say "shoulder the blame" or "shoulders the blame"?

It is correct to say "shoulder the blame" when referring to a single instance or a general concept. For example, "He had to shoulder the blame for the project's failure." When referring to a third-person singular subject, use "shoulders the blame". For instance, "He always shoulders the blame, even when it's not his fault."