heavy accusation

USAGE SUMMARY

'heavy accusation' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe strong criticism or allegations that are made against someone. For example, "The police had a heavy accusation against the suspect, so they decided to bring him in for questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was, Rosenthal said, "a heavy accusation that put him in a category other than a journalist".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Saying that you are aware of the work of the person who asked the question and saying you agree it is related can help you dodge "very heavy accusations and/or redirect them to a broader community," wrote Zaytsev.

BBC

But critics point out that while the government is heavy on accusations there are rarely arrests.

The New York Times

Flynn's career stalled in the early 1950s, amid statutory rape accusations, heavy drinking and introspection.

The Guardian - Film

After heavy criticism and accusations of yielding to Confederation of European Business pressure, the commission has promised the package's relaunch.

The Guardian

Valentine also contended that his leadership style had not been heavy-handed, an accusation from his past managerial stops.

The New York Times - Sports

The comment came a week after President Barack Obama drew heavy criticism over accusations that the National Security Agency had tapped the mobile phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and conducted widespread electronic snooping in France and Italy.

Huffington Post

"Do you think you're my favourite?" Kofi says no, but I can see the accusation lays heavy on him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dr. King believed the answer was that "our late president was assassinated by a morally inclement climate": "It is a climate filled with heavy torrents of false accusation, jostling winds of hatred, and raging storms of violence.

Huffington Post

The accusation is a heavy blow for a politician who campaigned as "Mr. Normal".

Huffington Post

Los Alamos, one of the nation's premier nuclear-weapons laboratories, has been under heavy criticism for years over accusations of lax security and safety measures and improper financial controls.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavy accusation", ensure that the context provides sufficient evidence or justification for the severity implied by the phrase. Overuse can diminish the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "heavy accusation" for minor or trivial matters. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the allegations are genuinely serious and carry significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy accusation" functions as a noun phrase where "heavy" modifies the noun "accusation", emphasizing its severity or significance. Ludwig confirms its usage in journalistic writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavy accusation" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious or significant allegation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears primarily in news and media contexts, conveying the gravity and potential impact of an accusation. While generally neutral, its use should be reserved for situations where the allegations are genuinely severe to maintain its intended effect. Alternatives include "serious allegation" and "grave indictment", depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious allegation

Emphasizes the gravity and formal nature of the claim.

grave indictment

Suggests a formal accusation, often in a legal or moral context.

severe charge

Highlights the strict or harsh nature of the accusation.

strong allegation

Focuses on the intensity and forcefulness of the accusation.

damning accusation

Implies the accusation is highly damaging and likely to be true.

serious claim

Highlights the importance of the statement made.

harsh charge

Focuses on the severity and unpleasantness of the accusation.

critical indictment

Emphasizes the disapproval and fault-finding aspect of the accusation.

major allegation

Highlights the scale and significance of the allegation.

significant charge

Focuses on the importance and potential impact of the charge.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavy accusation" to describe a serious allegation, such as, "The politician faced a "heavy accusation" of corruption." It implies that the accusation is severe and carries significant weight.

What are some alternatives to "heavy accusation"?

Alternatives include "serious allegation", "grave indictment", or "strong allegation", each varying slightly in formality and intensity.

Is "heavy accusation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Heavy accusation" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently found in news and media.

What makes an accusation "heavy"?

An accusation is considered "heavy" when it involves serious misconduct, carries significant consequences, and has the potential to cause substantial damage to reputation or legal standing. The weight and potential impact of the allegation make it "heavy".