burthen

grammar · medium

易错句子The new tax rules put a heavy burthen on small businesses.

正确表达The new tax rules put a heavy burden on small businesses.

burthen 只是 burden 的古体拼写，只出现在古典文学作品或历史文本里；现代新闻、公文、日常会话中一律写 burden。因此在现代语境里用它属于语域错误，只有引用或仿写古文时才保留 burthen。

grammar · medium

易错句子In the old poem, the hero carries three burthen on his back.

正确表达In the old poem, the hero carries three burthens on his back.

burthen 是可数名词，复数要在词尾加 -s，写作 burthens，这一点和 burden 相同。汉语名词没有复数词尾，学习者容易在数词后漏掉 -s；表示两个以上的重担时必须用复数形式。