be a burden

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   to cause trouble, worry or extra work for someone

   Grammar: Usually followed by 'on' or 'to' and a person: be a burden on your family.

   Patterns

   • be a burden on someone
   • be a burden to someone
   • feel like a burden

   She didn't want to be a burden on her children, so she hired a nurse.

   After the accident, he felt he was a burden to his friends.

   Paying for the wedding was a burden on both families.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   to be a heavy load that is difficult to carry

   Grammar: This literal use is less common; it can refer to physical weight.

   Patterns

   • be a burden on something
   • be a burden for someone to carry

   The old backpack was a burden on his shoulders after a long day.

   The extra supplies were a burden for the hikers to carry.

Common combinations

be a burden on someone

I don't want to be a burden on my parents.

be a burden to someone

He was a burden to his colleagues because he never finished his work.

feel like a burden

After losing his job, he felt like a burden.

become a burden

The old car became a burden because it kept breaking down.

Synonyms and how they differ

be a nuisance

This means to annoy someone, but it does not carry the idea of being a heavy responsibility or expense.

be a drain on

This is stronger and often about money or energy: 'The project was a drain on our resources.'

Opposites

Word family

burden noun

a heavy load or a difficult responsibility

burden verb

to give someone a difficult responsibility

burdensome adjective

causing trouble or extra work

Commonly confused: be a burden or burden?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be a burden”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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