heavy sigh

USAGE SUMMARY

'heavy sigh' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone has expressed a feeling of sadness, disappointment or frustration. For example, "John sighed heavily when he heard the news his promotion had been denied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A heavy sigh.

Independent

She fetched a heavy sigh.

The New York Times

His smile eroded into a heavy sigh.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Stonehill let out a heavy sigh.

The New York Times

Mr. Lockyer, a Democrat, let out a heavy sigh.

The New York Times

With a heavy sigh, Ms. Farina added: "It's really hard.

The New York Times

There was one far-off heavy sigh from the mule.

The New York Times - Books

"I guess it could be," Mr. Blaske said with a heavy sigh.

The New York Times

He noted with a heavy sigh, "Nobody pays attention to signs and directions in this place".

The New York Times

Those of you who bought a 2016 breath a heavy sigh of relief.

Independent

And also –heavy sigh – to remarks that show intolerance of homosexuals?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "heavy sigh" with a descriptive verb to enhance its impact. For example, "He slumped back with a heavy sigh" paints a more vivid picture than simply "He let out a heavy sigh".

Common error

Avoid using "heavy sigh" repeatedly to convey negative emotions. Overuse can become monotonous and detract from the overall impact. Instead, vary your descriptions with other emotional cues like facial expressions, body language, or internal thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy sigh" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "heavy" modifies the noun "sigh". It describes a specific type of sigh, emphasizing its weight or intensity. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where it is often used to depict someone's emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavy sigh" is a common and grammatically sound way to express feelings of disappointment, weariness, or resignation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While incredibly useful, avoid overusing the phrase in your writing. Instead, consider varying your descriptions with alternative phrases like "deep sigh" or "weary sigh", and be sure to vary emotional cues by including facial expressions and body language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep sigh

Focuses on the depth and audibility of the sigh, suggesting profound emotion.

weary sigh

Emphasizes the exhaustion or weariness associated with the sigh.

exasperated sigh

Highlights the frustration and annoyance behind the sigh.

long sigh

Stresses the duration of the sigh, implying a drawn-out expression of emotion.

audible sigh

Highlights the audibility of the sigh, indicating it was clearly noticeable.

resigned sigh

Indicates acceptance of an unpleasant or undesirable situation.

sigh of disappointment

Directly states the emotion causing the sigh.

sigh of relief

Indicates a release of tension or anxiety.

let out a sigh

Emphasizes the act of sighing, focusing on the physical action.

heave a sigh

Uses "heave" to suggest a more forceful and expressive sigh.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavy sigh" to describe someone expressing disappointment, weariness, or resignation. For example, "She responded with a "heavy sigh" after hearing the bad news", or "He let out a "heavy sigh" and shook his head".

What are some alternatives to saying "heavy sigh"?

Instead of "heavy sigh", you could use phrases like "deep sigh", "weary sigh", "exasperated sigh", or "long sigh" to convey similar emotions with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "heavy sigh"?

Yes, "heavy sigh" is grammatically correct. "Heavy" is an adjective modifying the noun "sigh", creating a descriptive phrase commonly used to indicate the intensity or depth of the sigh.

When is it appropriate to use "heavy sigh" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "heavy sigh" in writing when you want to convey a character's feelings of disappointment, frustration, weariness, or resignation without explicitly stating those emotions. It adds subtlety and realism to the narrative.