hefty burden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hefty burden" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or heavy responsibility, obligation, or load that someone has to carry, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "After taking on the additional project, she felt the hefty burden of her new responsibilities weighing down on her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Skincare, sun protection, cosmetics and haircare can add a hefty burden to your carry-on case.

Independent

Her husband's crazy hours and long absences impose a hefty burden on her and on their children.

The Economist

Now the head coach Joe Schmidt has backed the Leinster player to shoulder a hefty burden, as Ireland chase only their third win in 42 years in Paris.

The Guardian - Sport

Although royalty rates have come down they are a hefty burden on companies that have attracted customers at such a rate.

The Economist

With such a hefty burden placed on the shoulders of trial judges, it is no wonder that many have taken the initiative to attend seminars that will prepare them for their important and challenging gatekeeping duties.

The New York Times

He and Walkon were in the air together two out, but of the two white chargers, Al Ferof was the more dashing, even under his hefty burden of 11st 8lb.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Young millennials get more attention for their student loan burdens, but students faced such hefty burdens nearly 15 years earlier.

The Guardian

By contrast, workers in plants run by foreign companies in the United States earn about $45 an hour, and the nonunion companies do not have the hefty burdens for future "legacy costs" that are faced by the Detroit companies.

The New York Times

These are hefty burdens in a country where 12 state universities pack in close to a million students, and whose existing national library a dusty hulk in Cairo— suffers from leaky plumbing, spotty cataloguing and a woeful lack of trained staff.Mr Zahran claims to have some 400,000 volumes ready for installation.

The Economist

Perhaps not as important, but worth noting nonetheless, chickenpox represents a hefty economic burden.

The Guardian

There are distant plans for a railway to connect the coasts.But big projects like that will move more slowly thanks to the country's hefty repayment burden.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts such as responsibility or debt, "hefty burden" can effectively convey the significance or difficulty associated with them.

Common error

Avoid using "hefty burden" in very casual conversation. Simpler terms like "big problem" or "lot of work" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hefty burden" functions as a noun phrase, where "hefty" is an adjective modifying the noun "burden". It describes the extent or degree of the burden. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, highlighting its acceptability and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hefty burden" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies a substantial or significant weight, responsibility, or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. Its prevalence in news and media sources, as well as academic and business contexts, indicates its versatility and suitability for various forms of communication. While "hefty burden" is appropriate for neutral and formal contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "big problem" in casual conversations. Common alternatives include "substantial load" and "significant weight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy responsibility

Uses a more direct synonym for "hefty", retaining the original meaning.

substantial load

Replaces "burden" with "load", and "hefty" with "substantial", emphasizing the weight.

significant weight

Substitutes both words to convey the importance of the burden rather than the physical weight.

immense pressure

Conveys the feeling of being weighed down by something significant.

considerable responsibility

Focuses on the responsibility aspect of the burden, using synonyms for both words.

serious obligation

Replaces "burden" with "obligation", framing it as a formal duty.

onerous task

Shifts the context to a task, implying the burden is work-related and difficult.

major encumbrance

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "burden", adding a layer of complexity.

crippling debt

Focuses specifically on financial burdens, implying severe consequences.

formidable challenge

Frames the burden as a challenge, implying difficulty and the need for effort to overcome it.

FAQs

How can I use "hefty burden" in a sentence?

You can use "hefty burden" to describe something that is a significant responsibility or obligation. For example, "The new regulations placed a "hefty burden" on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "hefty burden"?

Alternatives include "heavy load", "significant weight", or "considerable responsibility", depending on the context.

Is "hefty burden" a formal or informal expression?

"Hefty burden" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for news articles, business reports, and academic writing.

What kind of things can be described as a "hefty burden"?

A "hefty burden" can refer to things like debt, responsibilities, regulations, or any kind of significant obligation that weighs someone down.