morally taxing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally taxing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or decision that requires significant ethical consideration or causes emotional strain due to moral dilemmas. Example: "The decision to report the unethical behavior of a colleague was morally taxing for her, as she valued their friendship but knew it was the right thing to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although the labeling of a group as "savage" or "barbarous" was to some extent intended to convey specific technical information, the use of such easily misinterpreted labels also made the era's overtly racist colonial policies more palatable to the general public: it was considerably less morally taxing to "civilize the savages" than to "forcibly assimilate an indigenous people".

Encyclopedia Britannica

What kind of books have left him dumbly satisfied with a senseless but enjoyable existence, and why does he give a mushy-brained shrug to the big, intellectual, and morally taxing questions that make reading worthwhile?

The New Yorker

Shaw did it in the 1890s by demolishing the theatre of vacuous spectacle, praising Ibsen and writing the kind of morally taxing dramas he wished to see on the British stage.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The chancellor revealed that HMRC had shown him anonymised tax returns of wealthy individuals who had used what he described in the budget as "morally repugnant" tax avoidance measures.

The Guardian

The Chancellor has previously spoken out against "morally repugnant" tax avoidance, making it a major part of his 2012 budget speech.

Independent

The choice between colluding in morally obnoxious tax avoidance on the one hand and facing economic chaos on the other does not ring true.

The Guardian

The exchequer loses at least £5bn a year because the taxman is failing to crack down on "morally wrong" tax avoidance schemes similar to the one used by comedian Jimmy Carr, the chair of the Commons public accounts committee warns today.

The Guardian - Business

The business world is facing a long overdue question – aren't elaborate tax-avoidance gymnastics just as morally repugnant as tax evasion?

The Guardian - Business

Shadow commons leader Angela Eagle said: "The prime minister rushed to the TV studios to condemn the tax avoidance scheme used by Jimmy Carr but he did not take the opportunity to condemn as morally repugnant the tax avoidance scheme used by Conservative supporter Gary Barlow, who's given a whole new meaning to the phrase 'Take That'.

BBC

She said: "Oddly, (Mr Cameron) did not take the opportunity to condemn as morally repugnant the tax avoidance scheme used by Conservative supporter Gary Barlow, who has given a whole new meaning to the phrase Take That.

Independent

Because now Nando's has been caught ploughing money into all manner of legal but morally iffy offshore tax havens, and the fragile castle of ideology that I have painstakingly constructed for myself has crumpled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally taxing" when you want to emphasize the ethical and emotional strain of a situation. It suggests that the situation requires careful consideration of moral principles and can be emotionally draining.

Common error

Avoid using "taxing" in close proximity to other instances of the word, especially in contexts unrelated to morality. This can create an awkward reading experience. Instead, diversify your vocabulary to maintain clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally taxing" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing something that presents a significant moral challenge or burden. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used to describe situations requiring substantial ethical considerations or causing emotional distress due to moral conflicts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "morally taxing" is a phrase used to describe situations or decisions that present significant ethical and emotional burdens. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though its usage is relatively rare. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, highlighting the weight and complexity of moral considerations in various contexts, particularly in news and media and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "ethically challenging" or "morally burdensome" offer similar meanings, "morally taxing" specifically emphasizes both the ethical and emotional strain involved. The frequency of use is rare and as best practice be careful about overusing "taxing" in consecutive sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethically challenging

Focuses specifically on the ethical difficulties posed by a situation or decision, omitting the emotional strain.

morally burdensome

Emphasizes the weight and difficulty associated with a moral obligation or decision.

ethically demanding

Highlights the high ethical standards or requirements that a situation or decision entails.

morally draining

Focuses on the depleting effect on one's moral energy or resolve.

emotionally taxing

Shifts the emphasis to the emotional toll, rather than the moral considerations.

ethically problematic

Indicates that a situation or decision raises significant ethical concerns or dilemmas.

morally compromising

Suggests that a situation or decision may force one to act in a way that violates their moral principles.

ethically complex

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of an ethical dilemma.

morally ambiguous

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or certainty regarding the morally right course of action.

ethically fraught

Suggests that a situation or decision is filled with ethical dangers or risks.

FAQs

How can I use "morally taxing" in a sentence?

You can use "morally taxing" to describe decisions or situations that demand significant ethical consideration and cause emotional strain. For example: "The choice between loyalty and honesty was a "morally taxing" dilemma."

What are some alternatives to "morally taxing"?

Some alternatives include "ethically challenging", "morally burdensome", or "ethically demanding". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "morally taxing" the same as "emotionally taxing"?

While both phrases describe a burdensome experience, "morally taxing" specifically refers to situations that involve ethical dilemmas and moral considerations, whereas "emotionally taxing" describes something that causes emotional strain or depletion, regardless of ethical concerns.

In what contexts is "morally taxing" most appropriately used?

"Morally taxing" is best used in contexts discussing ethical decision-making, moral philosophy, or situations where individuals face difficult choices with significant moral implications. You can find it in contexts as diverse as "news & media" or "encyclopedias".