carry the weight of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carry the weight of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the emotional burden or responsibility someone feels due to their actions or decisions that have caused harm or wrongdoing. Example: "After the accident, he had to carry the weight of guilt for the rest of his life, knowing he could have prevented it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On Mother's Day, you'd better deliver or you'll carry the weight of guilt for an entire year.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I will carry the weight of that guilt forever.

Huffington Post

But now organisations carry the weight of leadership".

The Guardian

It does not carry the weight of law.

BBC

carry the weight of nonresponding units.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

To be too serious would carry the weight of shame.

Vice

Now the state carries the weight of a nation.

The New York Times - Sports

We have carried the weight of the refugee crisis.

The Guardian

The national fervour carries the weight of a mass movement.

The Guardian - Sport

Every casting stunt carries the weight of heavy-duty symbolism.

The New York Times

Green acknowledges the Biennial carries the weight of expectation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carry the weight of guilt" when you want to express the long-lasting and burdensome feeling of remorse someone experiences due to their actions. It effectively conveys the emotional burden and responsibility they feel.

Common error

Avoid using "carry the weight of guilt" for trivial mistakes or minor regrets. This phrase is best suited for situations where the guilt is substantial and has a significant impact on the person's life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry the weight of guilt" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the endurance of a heavy emotional burden. It describes the state of bearing the responsibility and emotional consequences of one's actions, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "carry the weight of guilt" effectively conveys a significant and enduring burden of remorse. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and usable in English. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Alternatives like "bear the burden of guilt" or "shoulder the guilt" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves a substantial and impactful sense of guilt, as misusing it for minor regrets can diminish its intended effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bear the burden of guilt

Focuses on the act of enduring the heaviness of guilt, similar to carrying, but emphasizes endurance.

Shoulder the guilt

Implies taking responsibility for the guilt, like accepting a load onto one's shoulders.

Live with the guilt

Highlights the ongoing nature of the guilt and its impact on one's life.

Be consumed by guilt

Suggests that the guilt is overwhelming and dominates one's thoughts and feelings.

Feel remorse for

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of regret and sorrow for one's actions.

Regret deeply

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow and disappointment about something that has happened.

Carry the can

Idiomatic expression signifying taking the blame or responsibility, often unfairly.

Have a guilty conscience

Describes the internal awareness of having done something wrong, leading to unease.

Suffer the consequences

Highlights the negative outcomes and hardships resulting from one's actions.

Atone for one's sins

Implies taking action to make amends for past wrongdoings and alleviate guilt.

FAQs

How can I use "carry the weight of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "carry the weight of guilt" to describe the feeling of remorse and responsibility someone has for their actions. For example: "After the accident, he had to "carry the weight of guilt" for the rest of his life."

What are some alternatives to "carry the weight of guilt"?

Some alternatives include "bear the burden of guilt", "shoulder the guilt", or "live with the guilt".

Is it appropriate to use "carry the weight of guilt" in formal writing?

Yes, "carry the weight of guilt" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a serious and significant burden of remorse. It is a relatively neutral phrase suitable for various contexts.

What's the difference between "carry the weight of guilt" and "feel guilty"?

"Carry the weight of guilt" suggests a prolonged and substantial burden of remorse, while "feel guilty" is a more general and potentially transient emotion.