it was very heavy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very heavy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or situation that has significant weight or burden. Example: "When I tried to lift the box, I realized it was very heavy and needed help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

HEH Morocco used to import and to be dependent on 97% of its energy from abroad, and it was very heavy on the budget of the state – and Morocco used to subsidise and to fund fossil fuels.

The Guardian

It was very heavy.

The Guardian

"It was very heavy handed.

The Guardian - Tech

It was very heavy: he could barely lift it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was very heavy and had ancient markings written in Arabic or Hebrew or Chinese.

The New York Times

So it was a very arduous process, it was very heavy going.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It's very heavy.

The New York Times

"It is very heavy, very masculine," Haslbeck said.

The New Yorker

For starters, he said drily, "It's very heavy".

The New York Times - Style

All of it is very heavy on the civic pride.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's very heavy," Malovany-Chevallier warned in Bookforum three years ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to actual weight or perceived heaviness. For instance, "The box was deceptively small, but it was very heavy."

Common error

Avoid using "it was very heavy" to describe emotional situations or feelings, as it's more suited for physical weight. Instead, use phrases like "it was a great burden" or "it weighed heavily on my mind."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very heavy" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It conveys information about the weight or heaviness of a subject. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing examples where the phrase describes physical objects or situations experienced as burdensome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very heavy" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a significant weight or burden. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalent usage across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. While generally neutral in register, more precise language may be suitable for formal or technical settings. When opting for alternate phrasings, remember that, depending on the context, some expressions are more appropriated than others. Ludwig provides valuable examples to guide effective and contextually appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it felt extremely weighty

Replaces "heavy" with "weighty" and uses "extremely" for emphasis, altering the descriptive intensity.

it had considerable weight

Emphasizes the weight aspect using "considerable", changing the focus slightly to a more measurable attribute.

it was exceedingly burdensome

Shifts the meaning towards the feeling of being a burden rather than physical weight, using stronger vocabulary.

it presented a significant load

Replaces "heavy" with "load", which is less direct and slightly more formal.

it proved to be quite a burden

Transforms the phrase into expressing the subject as a burden, rather than describing its weight directly.

it was incredibly dense

Focuses on density, implying weight through compactness, which changes the descriptive quality.

the weight was almost unbearable

Highlights the effect of the weight, emphasizing difficulty and shifting focus from the object itself.

it was a substantial mass

Uses "mass" for scientific accuracy, altering the context to a more technical or observational one.

the heft was surprising

Uses "heft" to describe the weight and includes an element of surprise, altering the overall tone.

it tipped the scales

Idiomatic expression indicating considerable weight, indirect and less literal than the original phrase.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was very heavy" when referring to emotional burden?

You can use alternatives like "it was a great burden", "it weighed heavily on my mind", or "it was a significant emotional load depending on the context.

Is "it was very heavy" too informal for academic writing?

While acceptable, "it was very heavy" can be perceived as informal. Consider using more precise and descriptive alternatives like "it possessed considerable mass" or "it exhibited significant weight" for academic contexts.

How do I use "it was very heavy" in a sentence describing responsibility?

When describing responsibility, you might say "the responsibility was a heavy burden" or "the weight of the decision was significant", which are more suitable than directly stating "it was very heavy".

Can I use "it was very heavy" to describe something abstract?

While technically correct, using "it was very heavy" for abstract concepts may sound awkward. It's better to use metaphors that relate to burden or pressure, such as "the atmosphere was very tense" or "the situation felt oppressive".