strain on my shoulders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strain on my shoulders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of burden or pressure that one is experiencing, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The responsibilities of managing the project have become a significant strain on my shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I had a lot of strain on my shoulders".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She scowled at the vomit stain on my shoulder.

The New Yorker

Items could contain more than one concept; for example, I cannot lie on my right side at night because of my shoulder contains the meaningful concepts lie on my side and because of my shoulder.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

I can't take them all on my shoulders!

The New Yorker

"I feel like I have gold on my shoulders".

The New York Times - Sports

Brian stopped me and put his hands on my shoulders.

The New York Times

Oh for the comforting grip of claws on my shoulders.

Independent

It was just myself with a pack on my shoulders.

Independent

"This is going on my shoulders," Stoudemire said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It falls on my shoulders," Edwards said.

The New York Times - Sports

I put it on my shoulders.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you aim to express a physical sensation, consider if there might be more appropriate expressions that refer to the actual muscles involved, like "shoulder pain".

Common error

Avoid using "strain on my shoulders" in overly casual situations where simpler phrases like "I'm stressed" or "I have a lot to do" would suffice. The phrase is more impactful when reserved for significant burdens.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strain on my shoulders" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., feeling, bearing) or as the subject complement. Ludwig's examples highlight its use to express a sense of burden or pressure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strain on my shoulders" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey a feeling of being burdened or pressured. While not extremely common, as Ludwig points out, it effectively communicates the weight of responsibilities or stressful situations. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is indeed suitable for use in written English and provides examples in News & Media context. When seeking alternative expressions, consider options like "burden on my shoulders" or "weight on my shoulders" to achieve a similar effect. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully, reserving it for situations where a significant emotional or metaphorical weight is truly present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burden on my shoulders

Replaces "strain" with "burden", emphasizing the weight of responsibility.

weight on my shoulders

Substitutes "strain" with "weight", highlighting the heaviness of the load.

load on my shoulders

Synonymous with "burden", indicating something heavy to carry.

pressure on my shoulders

Replaces "strain" with "pressure", focusing on the demanding nature of the situation.

stress on my shoulders

Similar to pressure, but with a more negative connotation of anxiety.

responsibility on my shoulders

More explicitly states that the strain comes from responsibility.

encumbrance on my shoulders

A more formal way of saying burden or weight.

onus on my shoulders

Implies a duty or obligation that causes strain.

difficulty on my shoulders

Indicates that the shoulders are bearing something difficult or problematic.

duress on my shoulders

Similar to stress but more intense, suggesting forceful constraint.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says there's a "strain on my shoulders"?

It typically means the person feels burdened or pressured by responsibilities, stress, or expectations. It's a metaphorical way of expressing that they're carrying a heavy load, whether emotional or practical.

What are some alternative ways to say there's a "strain on my shoulders"?

You can use alternatives like "burden on my shoulders", "weight on my shoulders", or "pressure on my shoulders" to express a similar feeling of being weighed down.

Is it correct to use "strain on my shoulders" in formal writing?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, consider whether a more direct or specific phrase might be more appropriate depending on the context. In some cases, describing the actual source of the strain might be more effective.

How is "strain on my shoulders" different from "chip on my shoulder"?

"Strain on my shoulders" refers to feeling burdened by responsibilities, while "chip on my shoulder" describes holding a grudge or resentment, often due to a past experience. They have distinct meanings and should not be confused.