is heavy with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is heavy with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is filled with a particular quality or emotion, often conveying a sense of weight or significance. Example: "The air in the room is heavy with tension as everyone awaits the announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wilpon's empire is heavy with debt.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything is heavy with meaning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first one is heavy with ink.

The Guardian - Arts

The house is heavy with their grief.

The Guardian

Group A is heavy with NBA talent.

The Guardian - Sport

The air is heavy with positive ions.

The New Yorker

The demographic is heavy with two-income blue-collar families.

The New Yorker

Over warm seas the air is heavy with moisture.

The New Yorker

His brain trust is heavy with consultants and lobbyists.

The New York Times

Each book is heavy with premonitions of mortality.

The New York Times

Joseph DeRisi's mantelpiece is heavy with awards and prizes.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is heavy with," consider the connotation you wish to convey. It often implies a sense of weight, intensity, or significance, which can be either positive or negative depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "is heavy with" in contexts where a lighter, more subtle description would be appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing seem melodramatic or overwrought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is heavy with" functions as a descriptive expression, attributing a quality of weight or intensity to a noun. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something is strongly imbued with a particular characteristic, emotion, or substance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0.2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is heavy with" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of presence or intensity, as validated by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing weight or significance, be mindful of overusing it in lighter contexts. Alternatives like "is laden with" or "is filled with" can provide nuanced variations. Ludwig provides many examples to help writers effectively incorporate this phrase into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is laden with

Expresses abundance, similar to "is heavy with", but emphasizes being burdened.

is filled with

Indicates completeness, like "is heavy with", but focuses on content rather than weight.

is thick with

Suggests density or intensity, close to "is heavy with" but more visceral.

is abundant with

Highlights plentifulness; "is heavy with" suggests more density than sheer quantity.

is dense with

Emphasizes high concentration; "is heavy with" can be less compact.

is saturated with

Implies thorough permeation; "is heavy with" can be less intense.

is rich in

Conveys possessing valuable qualities, where "is heavy with" can be neutral.

is permeated by

Indicates something spreading throughout; "is heavy with" can be localized.

is imbued with

Implies investment of a quality; "is heavy with" simply describes presence.

is characterized by

Focuses on defining features; "is heavy with" can be a temporary state.

FAQs

How can I use "is heavy with" in a sentence?

You can use "is heavy with" to describe something filled with a particular quality or emotion. For example, "The air in the room is heavy with tension" or "The novel is heavy with symbolism".

What can I say instead of "is heavy with"?

You can use alternatives like "is laden with", "is filled with", or "is rich in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the silence was heavy with unspoken words"?

Yes, "the silence was heavy with unspoken words" is a correct and evocative usage of the phrase, suggesting a strong, palpable presence of things unsaid.

What's the difference between "is heavy with" and "is fraught with"?

"Is heavy with" suggests abundance or a strong presence, while "is fraught with" implies being filled with something undesirable, like danger or difficulty. Therefore, they are used in different contexts.