unmanageable burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unmanageable burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a load or responsibility that is too heavy or difficult to handle. Example: "The sudden increase in workload became an unmanageable burden for the team, leading to stress and burnout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But it makes business groups nervous that Mr. Obama might impose an unmanageable burden.

The New York Times

If the economy does not recover enough to reverse the enrollment growth, states fear they could be left with an unmanageable burden on their already inadequate revenues.

The New York Times - Health

But Fairbairn issued a stern warning to Downing Street, saying a new, tougher system outside the EU could create an unmanageable burden for employers and deprive firms of the workers they need.

The Guardian - Business

The risk is that the number of failing states, already increasing year by year, will increase dramatically under the potentially unmanageable burden of soaring food prices and spreading hunger.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then, suddenly, the movie shifts away from satire: Jamie meets Maggie Murdock Anne Hathawayy), a beautiful young woman with early-onset Parkinson's, who likes sex but doesn't want love, since she knows her condition will impose an unmanageable burden on any man who falls for her.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"[The OSHA right-to-know regulation would create] virtually unmanageable burdens on small manufacturers....workers would be just as safe without this regulation" complained Ralph Engel, spokesperson for the Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association.

Huffington Post

Given the right policies, asylum-seekers need not impose an unmanageable economic burden.

The Guardian - Business

The company's many acquisitions far beyond its home market turned it from a local discount supermarket chain into a global retail group but also saddled it with an unmanageable debt burden.

The New York Times

The scheme is festooned with carrots, chiefly easy terms for poor students, in order to forestall a revolt by the government's nominal supporters in Parliament.Critics say the new fees will create an unmanageable debt burden.

The Economist

Every arithmetic calculation of interest and principal over Greece's unmanageable debt burden is matched by yet another political recalibration of the latest surveys over attitudes among German voters.

The New York Times

"Unmanageable debt burdens are one of the fundamental causes of poverty in developing countries," Norway's ministry of foreign affairs said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unmanageable burden", consider the specific context and choose synonyms that more accurately reflect the nature of the difficulty (e.g., "overwhelming responsibility" for tasks or "crippling weight" for emotional issues).

Common error

Avoid using "unmanageable burden" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty genuinely impairs progress or well-being. Using it for trivial matters dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unmanageable burden" functions as a noun phrase, where "unmanageable" modifies the noun "burden". This phrase typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a load or responsibility that is too difficult to handle. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unmanageable burden" describes a load or responsibility that is too difficult to handle, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, it's relatively rare. It appears most frequently in news and media, signifying its relevance in describing societal and economic challenges. When using this phrase, consider whether synonyms like "overwhelming responsibility" or "crippling weight" might be more appropriate to reflect the specific context. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely challenging situations, avoiding its overuse for minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insurmountable load

Replaces "unmanageable" with "insurmountable", emphasizing the impossibility of overcoming the burden.

overwhelming responsibility

Substitutes "burden" with "responsibility", focusing on the obligation aspect and "unmanageable" with "overwhelming" stressing on the feeling of being unable to cope.

crippling weight

Uses "weight" instead of "burden" to highlight the heaviness and oppressive nature of the difficulty.

debilitating obligation

Replaces "burden" with "obligation" to focus on the duty aspect, highlighting its weakening effect.

crushing pressure

Emphasizes the intensity of the burden as a form of pressure that is difficult to withstand.

untenable strain

Focuses on the stress caused by the burden, suggesting it cannot be maintained or tolerated.

insupportable encumbrance

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the burden as something that cannot be supported.

intolerable demand

Highlights the demanding nature of the burden, suggesting it is beyond what can be accepted.

overtaxing duty

Presents the burden as a duty that exceeds one's capacity or resources.

unbearable imposition

Conveys the idea of the burden being forcibly placed upon someone, making it hard to endure.

FAQs

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

You can use "unmanageable burden" to describe something that is too difficult to handle or bear, such as "The debt had become an unmanageable burden".

What are some alternatives to "unmanageable burden"?

Alternatives include "overwhelming responsibility", "insurmountable load", or "crippling weight", depending on the specific context.

Is "unmanageable burden" formal or informal?

"Unmanageable burden" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What makes a burden "unmanageable"?

A burden becomes "unmanageable" when it exceeds one's capacity to cope or deal with it effectively, leading to stress, burnout, or failure. It implies that the difficulty is overwhelming and requires significant intervention or change to alleviate.