moral weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral weight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the significance or importance of ethical considerations in a particular situation or decision. Example: "The moral weight of our choices can have lasting impacts on society and future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It carries a moral weight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Casual talk embraces issues of great moral weight.

The Guardian - Books

Do they carry more moral weight than those buried skulls?

The New York Times

Communications technologies have no inherent political orientation or moral weight.

The Guardian - Opinion

It picks up no moral weight as it rolls along.

The New York Times - Books

It has legal as well as moral weight.

The New York Times

Suddenly, shredding assumed the moral weight of flossing.

The New York Times

Death tolls in warfare may carry a moral weight, but not a legal one.

The New York Times

Mr. Wilkinson's humane, thoughtful performance imbues the film with much of its moral weight.

The New York Times

Motahhari's comments carry moral weight because of the importance of the family name.

The Guardian

But for many, the moral weight assigned to such an action can be more complicated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "moral weight" when describing how certain factors influence ethical judgments in complex situations.

Common error

Avoid using "moral weight" to simply describe personal opinions or feelings. Ensure the context involves a genuine ethical consideration, not just a matter of taste or preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral weight" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes the significance or importance attributed to ethical or moral considerations in a given context. This is supported by Ludwig examples showing its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moral weight" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to emphasize the importance of ethical considerations. According to Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, use "moral weight" to highlight the ethical implications of decisions and actions. Avoid using it to describe simple personal opinions, ensuring the context involves genuine ethical considerations. Consider alternatives such as "ethical significance" or "moral importance" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical significance

Emphasizes the ethical aspect of importance, rather than a general sense of weight.

moral importance

Focuses on the importance of morality, which can sometimes be considered more abstract.

moral gravity

Emphasizes the seriousness and far-reaching implications of a moral issue.

moral imperative

Highlights the obligatory nature of the moral principle.

ethical burden

Highlights the challenging or onerous aspect of a moral choice.

ethical responsibility

Highlights the obligation and duty associated with moral decisions.

moral force

Highlights the power or influence.

moral consequence

Stresses the outcome or result tied to an ethical choice.

moral consideration

Focuses on the act of thinking about and taking into account moral factors.

ethical consideration

Highlights the ethical factors.

FAQs

How can I use "moral weight" in a sentence?

You can use "moral weight" to describe the significance of ethical considerations in a decision, as in, "The "moral weight" of their actions was substantial".

What are some alternatives to "moral weight"?

Consider using "ethical significance", "moral importance", or "ethical responsibility" as alternatives to "moral weight", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "moral weight" the same as "legal weight"?

"Moral weight" refers to the ethical implications of something, while "legal weight" concerns its enforceability or validity under the law. They are related but distinct concepts.

How does the context influence the use of "moral weight"?

The context determines which aspects of "moral weight" are most relevant. For example, in a political discussion, the moral weight might relate to justice and fairness, while in a personal dilemma, it could concern integrity and compassion.