a heavy liability

USAGE SUMMARY

"a heavy liability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a burden that is difficult to bear, or to refer to something that someone is responsible for but has a hard time fulfilling. For example, "John had a heavy liability to take care of his elderly parents, but due to his own hectic schedule, he found it difficult to meet their needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He resigned a week later, as he appeared to be a heavy liability for the Democrats facing parliamentary elections on July 11.

The New York Times

In addition to foreshadowing more losses for the party in November, the outcome appeared to call into question the belief that Senator Barack Obama of Illinois could be a heavy liability for his party's down-ticket candidates in conservative regions.

The New York Times

Dually eligible beneficiaries are still viewed as a heavy liability to public and private insurers in the United States [ 3].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A bigger problem with enforcing such a heavy tax liability, as President François Hollande discovered, is that many rich taxpayers literally will not sit still for it.

The New York Times

For example, Schmidt gives his advice for employees of companies going public: he recommends taking your time and being careful about selling stock so that you actually make money and don't just incur a heavy tax liability.

TechCrunch

Instead, it sits there, a big liability.

The New York Times

That made the country's banks, which had heavy liabilities in other currencies, insolvent almost overnight.

The New York Times

Playing to concerns about potentially heavy liabilities, Mr. Icahn underscored yesterday that "the clock is ticking on tobacco litigation".

The New York Times

And America's households may finally turn to the unfinished business that the last, mild recession never took care of: namely, a savings rate of little more than 2% of disposable income.The Fed seems untroubled by households' heavy liabilities because the value of their assets has increased even more.

The Economist

The Spanish firm Abengoa has narrowly escaped bankruptcy for now, but like SunEdison it's saddled with heavy liabilities and dubious paths for paying them off. .

Los Angeles Times

A heavy equipment manufacturer in California received the same shock; its umbrella liability coverage bill doubled to $8 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a heavy liability", ensure the context clearly establishes what the liability entails and its impact on the subject. For clarity, quantify the liability if possible.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy liability" as a vague descriptor. Always specify the nature and extent of the burden to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The project became a heavy liability", specify "The project's escalating costs became a heavy liability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy liability" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify something as a significant burden or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy liability" is a phrase used to describe a significant burden or obligation, confirmed as grammatically correct and usable by Ludwig AI. Though relatively rare, its usage spans across news media and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "a significant burden" and "a great responsibility". When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what constitutes the liability to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant burden

Focuses on the burdensome aspect, emphasizing weight and difficulty.

a considerable disadvantage

Highlights the negative impact or handicap associated with the situation.

a major encumbrance

Emphasizes the restrictive and hindering nature of the liability.

a great responsibility

Shifts the focus to the obligation and duty involved.

a substantial obligation

Highlights the binding nature of the liability as a duty.

a weighty problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect and its serious nature.

an onerous task

Highlights the difficulty and demanding nature of the responsibility.

a difficult commitment

Highlights the challenging nature of fulfilling the obligation.

a demanding responsibility

Emphasizes the rigor needed to fulfill the described responsibilities.

a severe drawback

Highlights the limiting quality of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy liability" to describe something that poses a significant burden or disadvantage. For example: "The company's debt had become "a heavy liability"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a heavy liability"?

Some alternatives include "a significant burden", "a considerable disadvantage", or "a great responsibility", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a heavy liability" in formal writing?

Yes, "a heavy liability" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing financial, legal, or ethical obligations.

What's the difference between ""a heavy liability"" and "a serious responsibility"?

"A heavy liability" emphasizes the burdensome nature of the obligation, while "a serious responsibility" highlights the importance and gravity of the duty.