to be overloaded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be overloaded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has too much to handle or is burdened with excessive work or information. Example: "During the busy season, I tend to be overloaded with tasks and deadlines, making it difficult to manage my time effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

However, the authors do not take into consideration the overloaded MAG, which is easily susceptible to be overloaded any time when the attached MNs very high or when the MN requires a high stream session.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It's very easy to be overloaded by notifications.

The Guardian - Tech

Parliament seems to be overloaded with solicitors and lawmakers, and it doesn't reflect the wider public.

The Guardian

Yogurt Parfait: Store bought yogurt parfaits tend to be overloaded with sugar.

The New York Times - Travel

His half of the draw, once thought to be overloaded with talent, no longer has Nadal, Federer or Tsonga.

The New York Times - Sports

Christophe Lemaire is the women's designer at Hermès, but past collections have tended to be overloaded with volume and color — nowhere near as sharp as this one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Participants' accounts reflected a tension between a desire for enough information and desire to not be overloaded with information.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

As we explained in Table 2 the traditional headers can even be overloaded to support XDC functionality.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

But an empath doesn't have to feel too much and be overloaded once they learn how to center themselves.

HuffPost

"Conversely, a user who gets ten e-mails a day may be overloaded". If the number of messages stacked in the inbox becomes too large and difficult to manage, you're overloaded.

Forbes

The system that the hot line was meant to activate was overloaded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be overloaded" when you want to describe a situation where someone or something is burdened with more than can be reasonably managed. Be specific about what is causing the overload for clarity.

Common error

While "to be overloaded" is grammatically correct, excessive use of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice constructions where appropriate to add more impact. For instance, instead of "The system is to be overloaded", try "The system will overload."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be overloaded" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a predicate adjective describing a state of excess or over-capacity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Examples show its use in describing systems, individuals, and even abstract concepts reaching a point beyond their capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be overloaded" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It primarily functions as an infinitive phrase describing a state of exceeding capacity, most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig's AI confirms that it is a versatile phrase suitable for expressing concerns about systems, individuals, or abstract concepts reaching a point beyond their manageable limits. While "to be overloaded" is correct, writers should remain mindful of passive voice overuse and consider more active alternatives for greater impact. Related phrases such as "to be overwhelmed" and "to be burdened" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be overwhelmed

Expresses a feeling of being completely overcome by circumstances, similar to being overloaded but focuses on the emotional impact.

to be burdened

Focuses on the weight or responsibility of carrying something difficult, sharing the sense of excessive load.

to be snowed under

Idiomatic expression indicating being excessively busy with many tasks, similar to being overloaded with work.

to be swamped

Implies being flooded with tasks or demands, sharing the sense of being unable to handle everything.

to be stretched too thin

Indicates resources or capabilities are spread excessively, resembling the strain implied by being overloaded.

to reach capacity

Focuses on the limit of what can be handled or contained, similar to the point of being overloaded.

to exceed limits

Highlights surpassing a defined boundary or threshold, sharing the sense of overextension.

to be at full stretch

Suggests that something is being used to its maximum capability

to be running at maximum load

Describes a system or process operating at its highest possible level

to be at breaking point

Indicates being close to failure due to excessive strain or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "to be overloaded" in a sentence?

You can use "to be overloaded" to describe a situation where someone or something has too much to handle. For example, "The server is expected "to be overloaded" during peak hours" or "I don't want "to be overloaded" with work this week".

What are some synonyms for "to be overloaded"?

Alternatives to "to be overloaded" include "to be overwhelmed", "to be burdened", "to be swamped", or "to be stretched too thin". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to be overloaded" or "to overload"?

The choice between "to be overloaded" and "to overload" depends on whether you want to use the passive or active voice. "To be overloaded" (passive) focuses on the recipient of the action, while "to overload" (active) focuses on the actor performing the action. For example, "The system is to be overloaded" (passive) versus "The user will overload the system" (active).

What does it mean when a system is described as "to be overloaded"?

When a system is described as "to be overloaded", it means that it is expected to exceed its capacity, potentially leading to performance issues or failure. This term is often used in technical contexts, such as computer networks or electrical systems.