a heavy order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a request or task that is difficult, burdensome, or requires significant effort to fulfill. Example: "Completing the project on such short notice is a heavy order, but I believe we can manage it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The giants' big spending plans spell more trouble for laggards, as they have to wait nine months to get their order for chip processing systems to be delivered because of a heavy order backlog.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the acute poetry, balanced sonorities, heavy order, and direct intimacy of Cranmer's prose have achieved permanence, and many of his phrases and sentences are as famous as lines from Shakespeare or the King James Bible.

The New Yorker

McLaren, desperate not to suffer a heavy penalty, ordered Hamilton to allow Trulli, who had regained the track, to return to third.

The Guardian - Sport

The WBC has banned Dereck Chisora from fighting for any of its titles "indefinitely", threatened him with a heavy fine, ordered him to attend a disciplinary hearing, rubbed him out of the rankings and demanded he attend anger management classes.

The Guardian - Sport

He added: "I was also concerned that the mother might abscond overnight and so I, with a heavy heart, ordered that the children were to be immediately removed from the mother's care and placed in the care of the local authority for a short period of time so that they could be returned to Spain without delay.

Independent

Private firms with an export-heavy order book should also do well, although this will not become evident until they publish financial results over the next few years.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Battista said he expected that the popularity of the nature shows would lead to heavy orders by viewers.

The New York Times

He stressed that the sales force must cultivate relationships with bookstores, so buyers would stock heavy orders of the publishing house's biggest books.

The New York Times

Most Western climbers feel more than a little guilty about this, but I know of none who have ever offered to take an extra lap through the Icefall with a heavy load in order to reduce a Sherpa's exposure.

The New Yorker

During the pre-sale, which kicks off Tuesday, 82.4 million coins will be sold at a heavy discount in order to attract investors.

Vice

According to Henriksen and Vetlesen [ 52] being responsible for another person's well being ought to be felt as a heavy burden in order to count as moral responsibility.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing backlogs or high-demand situations, consider using "a heavy order" to convey the pressure and volume of requests, such as "The company is facing a heavy order backlog."

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy order" to describe emotional burdens. Instead, reserve it for tangible orders or tasks, not feelings. For emotional states, use "a heavy heart" or "a heavy burden" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy order" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a task, request, or demand that is substantial, difficult, or requires significant effort. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to describe backlogs or demanding tasks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy order" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a demanding or substantial task. According to Ludwig, it is particularly common in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and general writing. The phrase conveys a sense of difficulty and magnitude, highlighting the effort required for completion. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for tangible orders or tasks, and avoid applying it to emotional states. Alternatives like "a substantial order" or "a tough request" can be used to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large order

Focuses on the magnitude or volume of the order.

a hefty order

Similar to large, but with a slight connotation of weight or significance.

a substantial order

Emphasizes the size or amount of the order, focusing on quantity.

a cumbersome order

Highlights the difficulty or inconvenience associated with the order.

a tough request

Shifts the focus from 'order' to 'request', emphasizing the difficulty in fulfilling it.

a strong directive

Replaces "order" with "directive", suggesting more authority or forcefulness.

a significant command

Similar to "strong directive", implying authority and importance.

a considerable task

Highlights the effort and work involved in processing the order.

a serious undertaking

Emphasizes the gravity and potential consequences associated with the order.

a demanding assignment

Similar to "tough request", but more formal and work-related.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy order" to describe a large or demanding task. For example, "Fulfilling all these requests by the deadline is "a heavy order"."

What can I say instead of "a heavy order"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial order", "a large order", or "a tough request" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a heavy order" to describe a personal burden?

No, "a heavy order" is typically used for tangible tasks or demands. For personal burdens, use phrases like "a heavy heart" or "a heavy burden".

What's the difference between "a heavy order" and "a backorder"?

"A heavy order" refers to the difficulty or size of a current task, while "a backorder" refers to an order that cannot be fulfilled immediately and is delayed until later.