a heavy decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"a heavy decision" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a difficult or complex decision that must be made. For example: "The family had to make a heavy decision when deciding who to put in charge of their grandmother's estate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was a heavy decision," he said.

The New York Times

"So it's kind of a heavy decision for Japan, too".

The New York Times - Science

While there are indications that Hezbollah's involvement was possible, Mr. Vigenin said in the interview, "we can't take such a heavy decision with serious implications for the policy of the entire European Union on the basis of circumstantial evidence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She said: "I have weighed the decision and it is 2.56kg and it is a very heavy decision.

The Guardian - Business

All of those pieces could be perfectly factual, tainted by no expressions of opinion whatsoever; together, however, they'd constitute a heavy editorial decision against the administration.

The Washington Post

Somewhere between them is Susan Robinson, Dr. Sella's colleague (the two run a clinic in Albuquerque), whose buoyant disposition is often weighted down by the heavy decision of whether or not to accept a patient.

Vice

I would surmise that top heavy decision making, year over year cuts and contraction would help to shape a corporate culture that would find it hard to compete with a culture basking in growth, an 'us-against-the-world-ness' mentality, and momentum.

HuffPost

His signature win, a dominant, takedown-heavy decision over former champion Rafael dos Anjos in April 2014, kept Nurmagomedov relevant.

Huffington Post

"Jersey's a great place to play and I've got to make some heavy decisions.

BBC

"The family really came together and made some heavy decisions real quick," Mr. Wood said.

The New York Times

If more people thought like you would avoid many horses disgusting, long, anguished transport to the slaughterhouse [sic]." Another wrote: "It is our responsibility as owners to also take the heavy decisions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heavy decision" when you want to emphasize the burden or seriousness associated with making a particular choice. It's suitable when the consequences are significant and the decision-making process is difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "heavy" to describe everyday decisions that lack substantial consequences. Overusing it can diminish its impact when describing truly significant choices. Instead of saying "It was a heavy decision to choose between pizza or pasta", opt for simpler alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "decision". It describes the kind of decision being made, emphasizing its seriousness or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy decision" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a choice laden with significant consequences or emotional weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally correct. While not overly frequent, it appears consistently in reputable sources, especially in news and media, emphasizing its neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "a difficult decision" or "a tough choice" offer similar meanings with slightly varying connotations. When writing, use "a heavy decision" to highlight the burden and potential impact of a choice. Ensure you do not use this expression when the significance and the weight of a choice are limited, since it can diminish its impact on relevant scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult decision

Emphasizes the challenge involved in making the decision.

a tough choice

Highlights the lack of easy or desirable options.

a weighty choice

Stresses the importance and potential consequences of the decision.

a momentous decision

Indicates that the decision is of great significance and could have lasting effects.

a critical decision

Implies that the decision is essential and could determine the outcome of a situation.

a significant decision

Focuses on the notable impact that the decision will have.

a consequential decision

Highlights that the decision will have important consequences.

a crucial choice

Indicates the vital nature of the selection.

an important decision

A general phrase to indicate that a decision is not trivial.

a life-altering decision

Suggests the decision will have a profound and lasting impact on someone's life.

FAQs

How can I use "a heavy decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a heavy decision" to describe a choice that involves significant consequences or emotional weight. For example, "Choosing to close the business was "a heavy decision" for the owner".

What are some alternatives to "a heavy decision"?

Alternatives include "a difficult decision", "a tough choice", or "a weighty decision". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a heavy decision" formal or informal?

"A heavy decision" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it might be more common in news or journalistic writing. In extremely formal contexts, you might consider "a significant decision".

What makes a decision "heavy"?

A decision is considered "heavy" when it carries substantial emotional, financial, or ethical implications. It's not just any decision, but one that weighs on the decision-maker and potentially affects many others.