heavy tension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heavy tension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or atmosphere that is filled with a significant amount of stress or anxiety. Example: "As the deadline approached, there was a heavy tension in the room, making it difficult for anyone to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While this sounds simple, it can be dangerous because the spring is under heavy tension.

The New York Times

We're still dealing very much with what goes on inside". More along those lines is the brooding "Stone," a song of heavy tension sung by Cantrell: "What makes you want to carve your initials in me?..

Los Angeles Times

Being outside with nature calms the nerves and relaxes heavy tension in the body.

WikiHow

The lens-retaining springs are held with heavy tension, and unless you are careful, you might accidentally damage the components.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir, the director of the Icelandic Tourist Board, said there were "some challenges, but not heavy tensions", and recent research showed Icelanders were positive towards visitors and tourism itself, despite some concerns.

The Guardian

Switzerland maintained its neutrality in World War I, but the conflict not only engendered heavy tensions between the Germanophone Swiss and their French- and Italian-speaking countrymen the result of each group's cultural identification with the combatants but also cast a weighty burden on the working class.

Britannica

It was designed to bear great tension from the heavy brass strings (normally 30 to 50), which were plucked by the fingernails to produce a ringing, bell-like sound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Everyone appeared casual, but the air was heavy with tension.

The New Yorker

The mood was heavy with tension, excitement and nerves – not mitigated by sharing the Cosmique hut with other climbers, some of whom could only be described as rugged mountain types.

The Guardian - Travel

27 Artists InVeiny a Hamptonsprawlingnd tree Is What Happened.

Vice

So far this year, Eskom has registered five thefts of heavy high-tension cables, potential killers carrying 275,000 volts of electricity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states or atmospheres, use "heavy tension" to convey a palpable sense of unease or anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "heavy tension" in informal settings where simpler terms like "stress" or "pressure" suffice, as it can sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy tension" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, describing the state or atmosphere in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavy tension" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict situations charged with stress, anxiety, or strain. While Ludwig examples show use across various contexts like news and media, encyclopedias, and wikis, it is most commonly employed to describe tense atmospheres or emotional states. It's considered a neutral register phrase. Remember to consider the context and audience to prevent using "heavy tension" where simpler terms would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense pressure

Focuses more on the external forces causing the tension.

great strain

Emphasizes the resulting damage or difficulty caused by the tension.

considerable stress

Highlights the psychological impact of the tension.

high pressure

Similar to intense pressure, but can also refer to literal physical pressure.

extreme stress

Similar to considerable stress, but has a negative and overwhelming aspect.

acute strain

Similar to great strain, it emphasizes the resulting damage or difficulty caused by the tension. Acute implies sudden and severe.

severe stress

Similar to considerable stress, it emphasizes the psychological impact of the tension. Severe implies extreme.

significant pressure

Similar to high pressure, it emphasizes the intensity. Significant implies something worth noting.

substantial strain

Similar to great strain, it emphasizes the resulting damage or difficulty caused by the tension. Substantial implies considerable amount.

intense strain

Emphasizes both the external forces and the resulting difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavy tension" to describe a palpable sense of stress or anxiety in a situation. For example: "As the deadline approached, there was a "heavy tension" in the room."

What are some alternatives to "heavy tension"?

You can use alternatives like "intense pressure", "great strain", or "considerable stress" depending on the context.

Is "heavy tension" formal or informal?

The phrase "heavy tension" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider the audience and choose a more precise synonym like "acute strain" for a scientific setting, if applicable.

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

"Heavy tension" describes a general feeling of strain, while "intense pressure" suggests an external force causing the strain.