a heavy time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period that is emotionally or physically challenging or burdensome. Example: "After the loss of her loved one, she went through a heavy time filled with grief and reflection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's a heavy time.

The Guardian - Film

I come from Morocco and I've lived all over Europe, but when I moved to this country in 2005 it was a heavy time.

The Guardian

June 19 was a Friday, a heavy time for the culture department, which was processing copy for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The New York Times

An independent commission was set up by the Government last year to review use of the Act, amid concerns around the protection of 'sensitive' information and warnings from public authorities that 'vexatious' FOI requests are inflicting a heavy time and cost burden.

Independent

Summer of 2007 was a heavy time.

Vice

"This was a heavy time for us, it couldn't have come at a worse time," Quist said in the interview.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In other words, to obtain an honorable yield, one needs to use several docking programs and rescore all the poses gathered in one pool, which represents a heavy, time-consuming procedure.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"This is a very heavy time to be an American school teacher," she said.

The Guardian

"I was in a suffering, heavy time.

Independent

There were people in there the PAs and the assistant to the psychiatrist in there were crying and so it was a very heavy time, but I was perfectly honest with her.

Vice

The presidents would have you believe that a playoff would place heavy time demands on the athletes as students.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heavy time" to convey a sense of emotional or physical burden associated with a specific period. Ensure the context clarifies what makes the time "heavy", such as grief, stress, or responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy time" in overly casual or trivial situations. The phrase carries a certain weight, so it's best reserved for contexts where the difficulty or burden is genuinely significant. Opt for phrases like "busy time" or "rough patch" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy time" functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "time". This phrase describes a period characterized by difficulty or emotional weight. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to describe challenging life events or stressful situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy time" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a period marked by significant emotional or physical burden. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "a difficult period" or "a tough time" for similar meanings. While the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, it should be used judiciously to avoid trivializing serious situations. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "a heavy time" serves to express empathy and acknowledge the weight of challenging experiences. It is considered to have a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult period

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the time, less on the emotional weight.

a tough time

Similar to "a difficult period", but with a slightly more informal tone.

a challenging phase

Emphasizes the developmental or transformative nature of the difficult time.

a burdensome period

Highlights the oppressive or taxing nature of the time.

a trying time

Focuses on the testing or straining aspect of the time.

a significant moment

Shifts the focus to the importance or consequence of the time, rather than the difficulty.

a critical juncture

Suggests a turning point or decisive moment in time.

a demanding season

Implies a period with significant requirements or pressures.

a stressful period

Highlights the anxiety and pressure associated with the time.

an eventful era

Focuses on the abundance of notable occurrences during the time.

FAQs

What does "a heavy time" mean?

The phrase "a heavy time" refers to a period marked by significant emotional, psychological, or practical burdens. It suggests a challenging or difficult experience.

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

You might say, "The family went through "a heavy time" after losing their home in the fire" to illustrate a period of intense hardship and sorrow.

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

Alternatives include phrases like "a difficult period", "a tough time", or "a challenging phase", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a heavy time" is appropriate in formal writing when accurately reflecting a period of significant difficulty or burden. However, consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits seamlessly.