substantial burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a significant obstacle or hardship imposed on an individual or entity. Example: "The new regulations placed a substantial burden on small businesses, making it difficult for them to operate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Law

Healthcare

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Does the contraceptives mandate impose a substantial burden?

Harvard University

But courts must say what is a substantial burden legally.

The Washington Post

The semiconductor group places a substantial burden on corporate funds.

Harvard Business Review

In short, there is no substantial burden on religious exercise.

The New York Times

Is providing insurance that covers birth control a "substantial burden?" on these two company's' religious beliefs?

Harvard University

Conclusions: There is a substantial burden of mental illness among inmates.

Harvard University

That suggests there were not even four votes for the government's position on substantial burden.

The Washington Post

Only the believer can say what is a substantial burden religiously.

The Washington Post

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) continues to form a substantial burden on Western healthcare.

Journal of Vascular Surgery

Co-occurring dementia and depression exerts a substantial burden on the elderly.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I also discuss the intermediate scrutiny/strict scrutiny/substantial burden question at pp. 1454-1473 of that article.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial burden" in legal contexts, ensure you clearly define what constitutes the burden and how it significantly impacts the entity or individual. Specificity strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial burden" as a vague descriptor. Instead, quantify the impact whenever possible. For example, instead of saying "the regulation imposes a substantial burden", specify "the regulation increases costs by 30% and requires an additional 20 hours of paperwork per week, creating a substantial burden".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial burden" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement, describing a significant obstacle or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial burden" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant obstacle or hardship. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure you quantify the burden to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "significant impediment", "considerable hardship", and "heavy responsibility". The phrase's professional and formal register makes it appropriate for serious and objective assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable hardship

Emphasizes the difficulties and suffering caused by the burden.

significant impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect, highlighting an obstacle that slows down or prevents progress.

major strain

Implies pressure or tension resulting from the burden, affecting resources or well-being.

onerous obligation

Highlights the legally or morally binding nature of the burden, suggesting it is difficult to fulfill.

pronounced encumbrance

Pronounced adds a bit more intensity to the encumbrance that restricts freedom of action.

severe encumbrance

Indicates a heavy load or impediment that restricts freedom of action.

heavy responsibility

Shifts the focus to the accountability and duties involved.

appreciable weight

Focuses on the importance and impact of the burden.

notable difficulty

Highlights the level of challenge or problem posed by the burden.

material disadvantage

Emphasizes the unfair or detrimental impact caused by the burden.

FAQs

How to use "substantial burden" in a sentence?

Use "substantial burden" to describe a significant obstacle or hardship imposed on an individual or entity. For example, "The new policy placed a "substantial burden" on small businesses".

What can I say instead of "substantial burden"?

You can use alternatives like "significant impediment", "considerable hardship", or "heavy responsibility" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "substantial burden" typically used?

"Substantial burden" is commonly used in legal, economic, and healthcare contexts to describe a significant negative impact or obligation.

What is the difference between "substantial burden" and "undue burden"?

"Substantial burden" generally refers to a significant hardship or obstacle, while "undue burden" specifically implies that the burden is excessive or unjustified in relation to the benefits achieved.