strains

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "strains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to refer to the physical or mental effort expended by a person to accomplish an activity. For example, "Her long hours of work began to take a toll on her, straining her both mentally and physically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Lyons notes: "Fiscal policy should not impose unnecessary strains on monetary policy".

The Guardian - Business

It strains credibility to suggest that it's all because McGee is a deal-doing kinda guy at a moment when the head of Barclays Americas should be a specialist in regulation.

The Guardian - Business

The scene reminds me of sitting around a table of craftsmen spliff builders, all nerdily discussing hydroponics, sativa strains and THC levels.

The Guardian

Antibiotic resistant strains have even been found in Antarctica.

The Guardian

"By contrast, five of the eight bodies in our study yielded more than one type of tuberculosis – remarkably, from one individual, we obtained evidence of three distinct strains".

The Guardian

Sharing the bill will be Sir Paul McCartney and our conversation is punctuated by the distant strains of the former Beatle rehearsing – the chords of Get Back reverberating around the corrugated metal walls.

The Guardian - Music

Samples from mummies in a Hungarian crypt have revealed that multiple tuberculosis strains derived from a single Roman ancestor that circulated in 18th-century Europe, scientists said Tuesday.

The Guardian

However, even if the pair, as renowned former hedonists, are overdoing the earnestness a little as they settle into their 30s, in the quietly demented strains of Diary, it's clear neither has lost his flair.

The Guardian - Music

Rhythmically sharp yet hypnotic, with a woozy, narcotic edge, tracks like 2013's Dunkel Jam seem to have soaked up the percussive energy and bass methods from 20 years of US house, techno and garage, as well as the full gamut of London's mutant dancefloor strains.

The Guardian - Music

The strains on the marriage became even more severe when one half of the union - the Tories - decided to go behind the UUP's back and seduce voters on their doorstep.

The Guardian

Further afield we find Iran and Turkey Iranan definitely as a supporter of Hezbollah, while Turkey is more difficult to define as part of a hostile ring... [as despite diplomatic strains its] trade [with Israel] is booming.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to relational or economic "strains", provide specific examples to illustrate the challenges or difficulties being faced.

Common error

Avoid using "strains" as a vague term for problems. Instead, clarify whether you are referring to specific pressures, biological variants, or musical passages for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "strains" primarily functions as a plural noun, denoting multiple instances of strain, whether referring to types of organisms (e.g., viral strains) or sources of pressure. Ludwig shows its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Music

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strains" is a versatile term primarily used as a plural noun, referring to specific types or sources of pressure across varied contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage, especially in news and media, with scientific and musical contexts also common. The word can denote biological variants, musical passages, or sources of difficulty, with the register varying from formal in scientific contexts to neutral in news and potentially informal in discussions about personal relationships. When using "strains", ensure clarity by specifying whether you're referring to pressures, biological variants, or musical passages to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressures

Replaces the focus on specific types with a general term for forces causing stress.

tensions

Focuses on the state of being stretched or stressed, often in relationships or systems.

burdens

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty caused by stressors.

sources of stress

Identifies the origin or cause of strain or pressure.

demands

Highlights the requirements or expectations that cause pressure.

causes of pressure

Highlights the elements leading to a state of strain.

stress factors

Emphasizes elements that contribute to stress.

types

A simpler term for different categories or classifications.

breeds

Specifically refers to different lineages within a species.

varieties

Shifts the meaning to different kinds or sorts, often in a biological context.

FAQs

How can "strains" be used in a sentence?

You can use "strains" to refer to different types of viruses, as in, "There are many "strains of influenza"". It can also refer to pressures or difficulties, such as, "The economy is facing several "economic strains"".

What's the difference between "strains" and "stresses"?

"Stresses" generally refers to the physical or mental pressure exerted on something or someone, while "strains" often refers to specific types or sources of that pressure or to different varieties within a group.

What are some synonyms for "strains" when referring to difficulties?

When referring to difficulties, you can use synonyms like "pressures", "burdens", or "demands" to convey a similar meaning.

How is "strains" used in a musical context?

In music, "strains" refers to melodic passages or musical phrases. For example, "The concert hall filled with the beautiful "strains of a violin"".