heavy stress

USAGE SUMMARY

'heavy stress' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The pandemic has put a heavy stress on the healthcare system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But it also puts heavy stress on his right elbow.

The New York Times - Sports

Avoid activities that put heavy stress on joints.

Harvard University

Despite the heavy stress on communist theory, students also study how other governments handle issues.

The Guardian

Davis, who died in 1964, at the age of seventy-one, laid heavy stress on both terms.

The New Yorker

He might have said "for a long time" or "permanently", yet seemed to place a heavy stress on that "good".

Independent

This approach allows him to lay heavy stress on recurrent attributes and patterns of life that he regards as integral to London's character from its first days.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

In reinforced concrete, the tensile strength of steel and the compressional strength of concrete render a member capable of sustaining heavy stresses of all kinds over considerable spans.

Britannica

Ballard was a beautiful man, with a marvellously full, resonant face and hot eyes, and talked in the cadences of extreme sarcasm with very heavy stresses - he wasn't being sarcastic, merely expressive.

The Guardian - Books

"We work with people who are living through some very heavy stresses, and by teaching them touch and guided relaxation strategies, we're teaching them to help themselves," he says.

Duke University

However, this induction would be damaged inevitably under heavy stresses conditions, suggesting that drought treatment might lead a severe impact on the detoxification enzymes systems.

BMC Genomics

Heavier stress levels correlated with greater alcohol drinking [ 18, 29].

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of external factors (like deadlines or workloads) on well-being or systems, use "heavy stress" to effectively convey the significant strain involved.

Common error

Avoid using "heavy stress" when you actually mean strong emphasis or importance. While related, "heavy stress" specifically denotes a significant burden or strain, not merely a focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy stress" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes a condition of significant strain, pressure, or burden. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavy stress" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant level of pressure or strain. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and provides examples across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While relatively uncommon, the phrase is appropriate for both formal and neutral registers. When writing, remember that "heavy stress" specifically denotes a substantial burden, and alternatives like "intense pressure" or "considerable burden" might be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its versatility makes it a useful term for expressing challenges and their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense pressure

Replaces "stress" with "pressure", highlighting the force exerted.

severe pressure

Uses "pressure" instead of "stress" to describe a difficult situation.

significant strain

Substitutes "stress" with "strain", emphasizing the adverse effect on something.

excessive strain

Highlights the extreme nature of the strain or pressure.

considerable burden

Replaces "stress" with "burden", focusing on the weight or load imposed.

extreme tension

Uses "tension" instead of "stress", highlighting the state of being stretched or strained.

substantial load

Focuses on the amount of weight or responsibility.

undue hardship

Emphasizes the difficulty and suffering caused by the stress.

major emphasis

Alters the meaning to indicate strong importance or focus, rather than pressure.

pronounced accentuation

Shifts the meaning towards highlighting or emphasizing something strongly.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavy stress" to describe situations causing significant strain. For example, "The new regulations placed "heavy stress" on small businesses.".

What's the difference between "heavy stress" and "intense pressure"?

While similar, "heavy stress" often implies a prolonged or sustained strain, whereas "intense pressure" might refer to a more acute, immediate force or demand. The phrases are very interchangeable, but they have a slight difference in their emphasis.

What are some alternatives to "heavy stress"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "significant strain", "considerable burden", or "extreme tension".

Is it grammatically correct to use "heavy stress" in formal writing?

Yes, "heavy stress" is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing. It's used in academic, news, and professional contexts to describe significant strain or pressure.