a heavy toll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy toll" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe some kind of burden or sacrifice someone must make or suffer as a consequence of an action. For example: "The war took a heavy toll on the civilian population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is a heavy toll.

The Economist

AIDS reaped a heavy toll.

The Economist

That's a heavy toll.

MIT Technology Review

Smallpox in particular took a heavy toll.

Britannica

The deluge has taken a heavy toll.

The New York Times

This takes a heavy toll.

Harvard Business Review

And it had a heavy toll on me, just a heavy toll on me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Failure would have exacted a heavy toll.

The Guardian

The work took a heavy toll.

The New Yorker

Economic ostracism also took a heavy toll.

The New York Times - Books

Today, though, decades of neglect have taken a heavy toll.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heavy toll" when you want to emphasize the significant negative consequences or impact of an event, action, or situation. It suggests more than just inconvenience, hinting at lasting damage or loss.

Common error

While "a heavy toll" is widely understood, be mindful of your audience. In very informal settings, consider using simpler, more direct language unless you specifically want to create a somber or weighty tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy toll" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It serves as the object of verbs like 'take', 'exact', or 'have', indicating a substantial negative impact or consequence, as exemplified by the sentences provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy toll" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys significant negative consequences or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts, signaling notable damage or loss. When writing, remember that while versatile, it best suits neutral to formal settings, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Consider alternative phrases like "significant impact" or "severe consequences" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe consequences

Highlights the adverse outcomes or repercussions of an action or event.

serious repercussions

Similar to severe consequences, but emphasizes the far-reaching effects.

significant impact

Focuses on the notable effect or influence, without explicitly mentioning negativity.

negative impact

A broad term indicating adverse effects without specifying the degree.

damaging effect

Emphasizes the detrimental impact on something.

substantial damage

Emphasizes the extent of harm or destruction caused.

great burden

Highlights the weight or difficulty imposed on someone or something.

significant cost

Highlights the sacrifice or expense involved, whether monetary or otherwise.

considerable strain

Indicates a significant burden or pressure exerted.

major setback

Focuses on the hindrance or delay caused in progress or achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy toll" to describe significant negative consequences. For example, "The war took "a heavy toll" on the civilian population", or "The pandemic exacted "a heavy toll" on the economy".

What are some alternatives to using "a heavy toll"?

Alternatives to "a heavy toll" include "significant impact", "severe consequences", or "substantial damage", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "take a heavy toll on"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "take "a heavy toll" on". This phrase is commonly used to indicate that something has had a significantly negative impact on something else.

What is the difference between "a heavy toll" and "major setback"?

"A heavy toll" generally refers to widespread negative consequences or damage, while "major setback" focuses more on a specific hindrance or delay in progress. The phrase "a heavy toll" suggests greater overall damage or loss.