a hefty workload

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hefty workload" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or demanding amount of work that someone has to complete. Example: "With the upcoming project deadline, I find myself facing a hefty workload this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At Stuyvesant, whose students were primarily white and Jewish, Mr. Holder said his first year was one of the most difficult periods of his life, as he adjusted to a hefty workload and an hour-and-a-half commute.

The New York Times

The orchestra's management has prudently engaged backup conductors to cover Mr. Levine's concerts this season: a hefty workload that includes three Mahler symphonies, a double bill of Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle" and Stravinsky's "Oedipus Rex," the premiere of a work by Harrison Birtwistle and the start of a John Harbison symphony cycle.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Matsuzaka has struggled with a heftier workload and he has thrown fastballs more than half the time.

The New York Times - Sports

I have been short-staffed for a long time and have been juggling freelancers to cope with the hefty workload.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prior would doubtless still be required to play in that match, and if he is forced to play over the next three days as well, he will have undergone a hefty and undesirable workload before the Test series even begins.

The Guardian - Sport

A hefty offer arrived.

The New York Times

A hefty percentage got lost.

The New Yorker

But that is still a hefty whack.

The Economist

Tickets cost a hefty 83 cents each.

The New York Times - Arts

And a hefty fine.

The New York Times

Perversely, it does suggest a Hefty bag.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a hefty workload" to emphasize that the amount of work is not only large but also potentially challenging or demanding. It adds a stronger connotation than simply saying "a large workload".

Common error

While "a hefty workload" is acceptable, overuse of "hefty" in highly formal or academic writing can sound less professional. Consider substituting with synonyms like "substantial", "considerable", or "significant" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hefty workload" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes the quantity of work to be done and, according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hefty workload" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a large or demanding amount of work. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples from reliable sources, primarily within the News & Media category. While synonyms like "a heavy workload" and "a substantial workload" exist, "a hefty workload" carries a slightly stronger connotation of challenge or demand. While suitable for general use, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional contexts. Despite its infrequent occurrence, the phrase is well-established and consistently used across different sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial workload

Replaces "hefty" with "substantial", indicating a considerable amount of work without necessarily implying it's overwhelming.

a heavy workload

Substitutes "hefty" with "heavy", suggesting a burdensome amount of work.

a considerable workload

Uses "considerable" instead of "hefty", implying that the workload is significant in size or importance.

a significant workload

Employs "significant" replacing "hefty", highlighting the importance or impact of the workload.

a large workload

Replaces "hefty" with "large", simply indicating a high volume of work.

a massive workload

Uses "massive" instead of "hefty", implying an exceptionally large and potentially overwhelming workload.

a burdensome workload

Substitutes "hefty" with "burdensome", emphasizing the difficulty and stress associated with the amount of work.

a formidable workload

Replaces "hefty" with "formidable", suggesting the workload is challenging and demanding respect.

a tremendous workload

Employs "tremendous" in place of "hefty", suggesting a very great or impressive workload.

a hefty burden

Changes "workload" to "burden", shifting the focus from the amount of work to its weight or difficulty.

FAQs

What does "a hefty workload" mean?

The phrase "a hefty workload" refers to a large and demanding amount of work that someone needs to complete. The word "hefty" emphasizes the size and potential difficulty of the workload.

What can I say instead of "a hefty workload"?

You can use alternatives like "a heavy workload", "a substantial workload", or "a considerable workload" depending on the context.

Is "a hefty workload" formal or informal?

"A hefty workload" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, you might prefer more precise language.

How do I use "a hefty workload" in a sentence?

You can use "a hefty workload" to describe someone's responsibilities or the amount of work required for a task. For example, "Due to the project deadline, the team is facing "a heavy workload" this week."