a heavy feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"a heavy feeling" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an emotion or sensation that weighs heavily on someone's mind or heart. Example sentence: After hearing the tragic news, she was consumed by a heavy feeling of sadness and loss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

For me, it hits hard: I feel a lack of energy, a heavy feeling, almost as if I am walking through quicksand.

Huffington Post

A heavy feeling".

The New Yorker

"That's a heavy feeling on your back.

The New York Times

A heavy feeling of the dire floated through so much of what Ray wrote.

The New Yorker

He said that from the beginning he had a "heavy feeling" every time he was on stage.

The Guardian

Another newspaper, Maariv, said: "The main feeling accompanying us, following yesterday's events, was a heavy feeling of suffocation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The day is come, and I admit a heavier feeling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Losing the first two games in that series left a "heavier feeling than it is this morning," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

Miles, a fifteen-year-old intern at Been Trill, another New York fashion label (who also sported braces), chimed in, "Even if you don't understand what he's saying, it's about a feeling — a really heavy feeling".

The New Yorker

The first embraced his work with unalloyed enthusiasm and described the bomb's impact as "im-pressive" and "interesting … a very spectacular result". The second des-cribed the blast as "just stunning," but then acknowledged a "very heavy feeling," a physical sense of foreboding that brought forth continuing misgivings about his work.

MIT Technology Review

A weight had been lifted from me, because to take a penalty in a World Cup final is a pretty heavy feeling".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotions, use "a heavy feeling" to convey a sense of burden or emotional weight. This is more impactful than simply saying someone feels "sad" or "down."

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy feeling" to describe literal weight. For instance, instead of saying "The book had a heavy feeling", specify its weight or use adjectives like "bulky" or "dense".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy feeling" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "feeling". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing emotional or physical sensations. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a heavy feeling" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a sense of emotional or physical burden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys subjective experiences like sadness, regret, or physical discomfort. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news reports to personal narratives. When using this phrase, ensure you're accurately representing the sensation you intend to describe, differentiating it from related concepts like "a sinking feeling" or literal weight. By understanding these nuances, you can use "a heavy feeling" to add depth and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weighty sensation

Emphasizes the physical aspect of heaviness more directly.

a burdened feeling

Focuses on the sense of being emotionally or mentally burdened.

a leaden sensation

Highlights a sense of being weighed down, often used metaphorically.

a sense of oppression

Indicates a feeling of being suppressed or constrained, carrying a negative connotation.

an overwhelming feeling

Stresses the intensity and magnitude of the emotion.

a crushing feeling

Implies a more severe and debilitating emotional burden.

a gloomy sensation

Connects the feeling with a sense of sadness or despair.

a sinking feeling

Suggests a feeling of impending doom or disappointment.

a painful sensation

Draws attention to the distressing nature of the feeling.

an uncomfortable sensation

Refers to a general sense of unease or discomfort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy feeling" to describe an emotional state, such as "After the argument, she was left with "a heavy feeling" of regret" or a physical sensation, like "He had "a heavy feeling" in his chest after the exertion".

What's the difference between "a heavy feeling" and "a sinking feeling"?

"A heavy feeling" generally implies a sense of emotional burden or oppression, while "a sinking feeling" suggests a sense of foreboding or impending doom. The former weighs you down; the latter makes you anxious about what's to come.

Is "a heavy feeling" a formal or informal expression?

"A heavy feeling" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

What can I say instead of "a heavy feeling" to describe sadness?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives like "a weighty sensation", "a burdened feeling", or "a sense of oppression".