heavy toll

USAGE SUMMARY

"heavy toll" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where there has been a great cost, usually in terms of suffering or loss of life, as a result of some event or situation. Example: The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economy, with many businesses forced to close and millions of people out of work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is a heavy toll.

The Economist

AIDS reaped a heavy toll.

The Economist

Smallpox in particular took a heavy toll.

Britannica

The deluge has taken a heavy toll.

The New York Times

Failure would have exacted a heavy toll.

The Guardian

The work took a heavy toll.

The New Yorker

Today, though, decades of neglect have taken a heavy toll.

The New York Times

Hunger, swollen rivers and war took a heavy toll.

The Economist

Nationwide, car and motorcycle accidents take a heavy toll.

The New York Times

Diseases also took a heavy toll on the trail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The kidnappings exacted a heavy toll on the Stayner family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heavy toll" to emphasize a severe negative impact, especially involving loss, suffering, or damage. For example, "The war took a "heavy toll" on the civilian population."

Common error

Avoid using "heavy toll" to describe positive situations. This phrase exclusively describes negative repercussions, losses, or damages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy toll" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb like "take", "exact", or "bear". It describes the significant negative impact or consequence of an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavy toll" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where significant negative consequences, losses, or damages have occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, often following verbs such as "take", "exact", or "bear", to emphasize the severity of the impact. Primarily found in News & Media, "heavy toll" is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone while conveying the weight of the negative repercussions. Remember to use it in negative contexts, and consider alternatives like "significant impact" or "devastating effect" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devastating effect

Emphasizes the destructive and damaging nature of the impact.

profound effect

Highlights the deep and significant impact.

severe consequences

Highlights the harsh results or outcomes of an action or situation.

major repercussions

Indicates significant and far-reaching consequences.

serious implications

Focuses on the potential long-term effects and significance.

significant impact

Focuses on the notable influence or effect, broader than just negative consequences.

substantial damage

Highlights the extensive harm or destruction caused.

high cost

Focuses on the expense or sacrifice involved, whether financial or otherwise.

considerable strain

Emphasizes the pressure or burden imposed.

great burden

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty imposed on someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavy toll" to describe situations where something has suffered significant damage or loss, as in, "The pandemic took a "heavy toll" on small businesses."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "heavy toll"?

Alternatives to "heavy toll" include "significant impact", "devastating effect", or "severe consequences", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "heavy toll" in formal writing?

Yes, "heavy toll" is appropriate for formal writing when describing substantial negative effects or consequences. For example, "The economic crisis exacted a "heavy toll" on the nation's infrastructure."

What's the difference between "heavy toll" and "great cost"?

"Heavy toll" usually refers to suffering or loss, while "great cost" can refer to financial or other sacrifices. While they can overlap, "heavy toll" emphasizes the negative human impact.