under significant strain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under significant strain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where something or someone is experiencing a high level of stress or pressure. Example: "The bridge has been under significant strain due to the heavy traffic and recent storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I'm restricted to songs I can get enough volume on to be heard, so my throat is under significant strain.

The Guardian

Public comments have ranged from: an exciting and overdue response to a system under significant strain through to radical and unnecessary social engineering.

The Guardian

The influx of visitors places the town's resources and infrastructures under significant strain, with government departments and agencies unable to check unauthorised building activity and urban sprawl.

The Guardian

His position at the New York Times was put under significant strain this week when Sullivan, the public editor, asked whether he was the "right person for the job," given the importance attached to integrity at the paper.

The Guardian

"The Ministry of Justice's budget is already under significant strain, and this proposal would certainly not be affordable before 2016-17," he said in leaked cabinet correspondence in April 2014.

The Guardian

However, the system is under significant strain as a result of this chronic lack of funding in the face of the increasing workload associated with an ageing population and the shift of care from hospital to community.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Others, like Chicago or Phoenix, are generally stable markets that are currently under significant strains.

Forbes

But more of the time over these last twenty years we have had periods of armed conflicts, and that put our rangers under very significant strain.

Yale University

The legal frameworks to support the protection of journalism, she told panelists, "are under very significant strain, they are at risk of erosion, and compromise".

Vice

At a Tuesday conference organized by the Science Coalition at the National Press Club, 10 of these best and brightest warned that science in America is under a significant strain.

HuffPost

The experiments show nonlinear behavior with significant strain softening under cyclic loading.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under significant strain", ensure the context clearly defines what is experiencing the strain. Be specific about the resources, systems, or individuals affected to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "under significant strain" as a generic descriptor. Instead of saying "The company is under significant strain", specify the areas of strain such as finances, personnel, or resources to offer more precise information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under significant strain" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that it is experiencing a high degree of pressure or stress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under significant strain" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe situations experiencing considerable pressure or stress. Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically sound and widely accepted. As shown by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. When using "under significant strain", remember to specify what exactly is experiencing the strain for clarity. Alternatives like "under considerable pressure" or "experiencing immense stress" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing immense stress

Substitutes "strain" with "stress", highlighting the psychological impact.

under considerable pressure

Replaces "strain" with "pressure", emphasizing the external forces at play.

under immense pressure

Similar to under considerable pressure but implies even greater pressure.

burdened by heavy demands

Highlights the excessive requirements and responsibilities.

facing substantial challenges

Shifts the focus to the difficulties being experienced rather than the stress itself.

grappling with major difficulties

Replaces "under significant strain" with a verb-based construction emphasizing effort to overcome issues.

stretched to the limit

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of resources being fully utilized.

feeling the pinch

An idiom that describes being under financial or other type of strain.

at breaking point

Suggests that the situation is nearing a critical state.

in a precarious situation

Focuses on the instability and potential danger of the situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "under significant strain"?

To be "under significant strain" means to be experiencing a high degree of pressure, stress, or difficulty, often due to limited resources or challenging circumstances.

How can I use "under significant strain" in a sentence?

You can use "under significant strain" to describe situations where systems, individuals, or resources are heavily burdened, such as, "The healthcare system is "under significant strain" due to the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to saying "under significant strain"?

Alternatives include "under considerable pressure", "facing substantial challenges", or "experiencing immense stress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "under significant strain" or "under significant stress"?

Both phrases are correct, but "under significant strain" often implies a burden on resources or systems, while "under significant stress" suggests psychological or emotional pressure. The choice depends on the specific context.