unbearable burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unbearable burden" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or oppressive situation or responsibility that is too heavy or overwhelming to bear. Example: The loss of her husband was an unbearable burden for Sarah to carry, but she found strength in the love and support of her friends and family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

To them, life is an unbearable burden.

The New Yorker

The lies and duplicity became an unbearable burden.

The New Yorker

Single children carry an unbearable burden of parental and grandparental expectations.

The New York Times

The worry is that aging populations will put an unbearable burden on shrinking work forces.

The New York Times

When he has lost both Cal and Aidan, he faces an unbearable burden of grief and guilt.

The New York Times - Books

Greece's pension promise is too good to be true, since it would impose an unbearable burden on future taxpayers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Rather, they are collateral damage in a bust that has wiped out equity and hammered jobs, turning what were reasonable debt levels into unbearable burdens.

The New York Times

The leftwing Syriza leader said proposals put forward by international creditors would place "unbearable" burdens on the Greek people and was a "blackmail ultimatum".

The Guardian

There, obviously, is a marriage headed for the rocks, and here we sit holding three crucial newsbreaks in our hand, playing with human destiny as though it were a mechanical toy, and bent with the almost unbearable burdens of the editorial life.

The New Yorker

To summarize his message, he believes that General McChrystal, either knowingly or subconsciously, used the Rolling Stone reporter as the way out of what was becoming for him an unbearable burden--the conflict between the best interests of his country and the best interests of the soldiers who served under him.

Huffington Post

Others say that these high salaries are an unbearable financial burden -- and that they reinforce classical music's image as an elitist, exclusionary world that is increasingly out of touch with its listeners.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unbearable burden" to vividly describe situations causing significant distress or hardship. It is best suited for contexts where the emotional or practical weight is extreme.

Common error

Avoid using "unbearable burden" in situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly difficult. This phrase should be reserved for genuinely serious or overwhelming scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unbearable burden" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a situation, responsibility, or emotion that is extremely difficult to bear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unbearable burden" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe situations or responsibilities that are extremely difficult to tolerate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and serves to emphasize the weight and severity of a given hardship. While it's appropriate for formal writing, overuse in trivial situations should be avoided to maintain its impactful effect. Related phrases include "crushing weight" and "overwhelming load".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushing weight

Emphasizes the oppressive nature of the burden, focusing on the feeling of being weighed down.

overwhelming load

Highlights the sheer magnitude and difficulty of managing the burden.

oppressive weight

Similar to "crushing weight", highlighting the feeling of being suppressed.

intolerable strain

Focuses on the mental and emotional pressure caused by the burden.

crippling responsibility

Suggests that the burden is so heavy that it prevents effective action.

unmanageable stress

Focuses on the mental and emotional overload resulting from the burden.

insurmountable challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of overcoming the situation the burden presents.

debilitating obligation

Indicates that the burden weakens or impairs the ability to function.

heavy cross to bear

Uses a metaphor to describe a suffering or hardship one must endure.

excruciating hardship

Emphasizes the pain and suffering associated with the burden.

FAQs

How can I use "unbearable burden" in a sentence?

You can use "unbearable burden" to describe something that is extremely difficult to tolerate or manage. For example, "The constant pressure at work became an unbearable burden".

What can I say instead of "unbearable burden"?

You can use alternatives like "crushing weight", "overwhelming load", or "intolerable strain" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an unbearable burden" or should I use another article?

The phrase "unbearable burden" typically requires the indefinite article "an" because "burden" is a countable noun. Therefore, "an unbearable burden" is the grammatically correct form.

What's the difference between "unbearable burden" and "heavy load"?

"Unbearable burden" implies that something is so difficult it's almost impossible to manage, while "heavy load" simply suggests something is difficult but still manageable. The former conveys a greater sense of distress.