unnecessary burden

USAGE SUMMARY

"unnecessary burden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that creates a difficult and/or unpleasant situation without providing any tangible benefit. For example, "The extra fees associated with the project were an unnecessary burden on the taxpayers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Additional testing, he said, would be an unnecessary burden.

The New York Times

There are probably regulations that were an unnecessary burden.

The New York Times

When you're a little bit broke, holding an Olympics looks like an unnecessary burden.

The Guardian - Sport

When we find rules that put an unnecessary burden on businesses, we will fix them.

The Guardian

Reviewing the documents for release would add an unnecessary burden on busy intelligence analysts, they argued.

The New York Times

This placed an unnecessary burden on the tires, some of which were certainly defective.

The New York Times

These pages likely distract from acute issues that arise at night and place an unnecessary burden on night floats.

Stanford University

"The current system obviously has been a unnecessary burden on those who could least afford it," he said.

The New York Times

He was worried, he said, that "overzealous antiterrorism policing is creating an unnecessary burden on New Yorkers' rights to assemble".

The Guardian

Republicans have long fought the FCC's net neutrality protections, arguing the rules will create an unnecessary burden on business.

The Guardian - Tech

It is their view that those who resist treatment place an unconscionable and unnecessary burden on society.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unnecessary burden" when you want to argue for the removal or reduction of something that is causing difficulties without providing a commensurate benefit.

Common error

Avoid using "unnecessary burden" without providing adequate explanation of why the burden is, in fact, unnecessary. A vague statement can weaken your argument; instead, offer specific details that justify your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnecessary burden" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "unnecessary" modifies the noun "burden". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that creates difficulties without providing any benefit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unnecessary burden" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It describes something creating difficulties without providing benefits and is often used to express disapproval or advocate for change. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly explain why the burden is considered unnecessary. Related phrases include "avoidable hardship" and "undue hardship", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is well-established and appropriate for use in a variety of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Needless encumbrance

Similar to burden, but emphasizes the hindering aspect.

Unwarranted difficulty

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the difficulty.

Undue hardship

Focuses on the unfair or disproportionate nature of the difficulty.

Avoidable hardship

Focuses on the hardship aspect, emphasizing that it could have been avoided.

Pointless obligation

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in the obligation.

Gratuitous imposition

Highlights that the imposition is unwarranted and excessive.

Unjustified demand

Highlights the lack of legitimacy in the request or requirement.

Excessive strain

Focuses on the pressure and effort caused, implying it's beyond what's reasonable.

Superfluous obligation

Highlights the excessive and non-essential nature of the obligation.

Extra weight

Implies an additional and unhelpful load, either physical or metaphorical.

FAQs

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

You can use "unnecessary burden" to describe something that causes difficulty or trouble without serving a useful purpose. For example: "The new regulations placed an unnecessary burden on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "unnecessary burden"?

Some alternatives include "avoidable hardship", "undue hardship", or "needless encumbrance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unnecessary burden" or "undue burden"?

Both "unnecessary burden" and "undue burden" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Unnecessary burden" suggests the burden serves no purpose, while "undue burden" suggests the burden is excessive or disproportionate.

What is the difference between "unnecessary burden" and "unnecessary cost"?

"Unnecessary burden" is a broader term that refers to any type of difficulty or trouble that is avoidable. "Unnecessary cost" specifically refers to financial expenses that are not needed. They might overlap but refer to different aspects. For example, additional paperwork might be an "unnecessary burden", while "unnecessary cost" might include paying extra fees.