fairly heavy

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly heavy" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is heavier than normal, but not extremely so. For example, "The suitcase was fairly heavy, but I managed to carry it up the stairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But he clomps across it with a fairly heavy tread.

The New York Times

A fairly heavy pure rag paper is normally used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Medium-sized diving duck with rounded head and fairly heavy, broad bill.

Cornell University

Consequently, fairly heavy protective padding was necessary to avoid injuries, which in some cases were fatal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The drollness makes a nice counter to the other plays, which are fairly heavy.

The New York Times

"The fact that this particular design needs fairly heavy batteries helps it," he said.

The New York Times

The rich, fairly heavy fabric is frequently used for evening dresses, draperies, and upholstery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It would be best if it didn't; as visual metaphors go, it's fairly heavy-handed.

The New Yorker

Sony, which also happens to be a record company, is fairly heavy-handed and requires users to jump through hoops with rights-management software.

Forbes

Of course, "self-deception" might seem like a fairly heavy-handed term to use in describing the average 5-year-old's belief in Santa Claus.

Huffington Post

Purchase a fairly heavy-duty chain, and a 16" sprocket.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weight, consider the audience and context. Use "fairly heavy" to indicate a weight that is noticeable but not extreme; this avoids exaggeration and maintains clarity.

Common error

While "fairly heavy" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "moderately weighty" or "somewhat burdensome" for greater impact and precision.

Linguistic Context

"Fairly heavy" functions as a qualifier, specifically an intensifier modifying the adjective 'heavy'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that is more than normally heavy but not extremely so. Examples show its use with physical objects, weather, and abstract burdens.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly heavy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, to describe something that is more than normally heavy, but not extremely so. It functions as a qualifier, adding nuance to descriptions in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While acceptable in both formal and informal settings, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "moderately weighty" for greater precision, particularly in academic writing. By understanding the phrase's connotations and usage patterns, you can effectively convey the intended degree of weight or intensity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of heavy

Uses more casual language.

moderately weighty

Substitutes "heavy" with "weighty" and "fairly" with "moderately", emphasizing the moderate aspect of the weight.

reasonably hefty

Replaces "heavy" with the informal "hefty", maintaining a similar sense of considerable weight.

somewhat burdensome

Shifts from weight to the feeling of being a burden, changing the context slightly.

considerably weighted

Changes the structure to a passive construction, highlighting the presence of significant weight.

noticeably ponderous

Uses more formal language, substituting "heavy" with "ponderous" to indicate a significant weight.

rather substantial in weight

Elaborates on the meaning, specifying that the weight is substantial but not extreme.

quite a load

An idiomatic expression referring to something heavy or burdensome.

moderately cumbersome

Focuses on the unwieldiness associated with the weight, rather than the weight itself.

appreciably massive

Emphasizes the size and scale associated with the weight, using a more dramatic term.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly heavy" to describe the weight of an object, the intensity of something, or the degree of a burden. For example, "The box was fairly heavy", "The rain was fairly heavy", or "The workload was fairly heavy".

What are some alternatives to "fairly heavy"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "moderately weighty", "somewhat burdensome", or "reasonably hefty".

Is "fairly heavy" too informal for academic writing?

While "fairly heavy" is generally acceptable, in very formal academic writing, you might prefer more precise language such as "moderately weighty" or "substantially weighted".

What does "fairly heavy" imply about the degree of heaviness?

"Fairly heavy" suggests that something is more than just slightly heavy, but not extremely so. It indicates a moderate degree of weight or intensity.