shift heavily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift heavily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or substantial change in position, direction, or focus, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The company's strategy will shift heavily towards sustainability in the coming years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This heritage enabled Rhode Island's economy to shift heavily to the service sector when industry waned.

Britannica

The Tax Policy Center forecast the second round of Bush cuts to shift heavily toward the benefit of wealthy taxpayers.

The Washington Post

For search probability (left (gamma _{j,k^{o}}^{k}right)), mid experience teachers from both bad and good schools shift heavily toward searching in the bad schools market, by 7.5 and 2.1 percentage points, respectively.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But over the months, the balance shifted heavily in favor of the government.

The New York Times

While many working-class white people shifted heavily towards Trump, working-class minorities didn't.

The Guardian

And meanwhile, unemployment in the country, whose population shifted heavily to Monrovia during the war, stands as high as 85 percent by some estimates.

The New York Times - Magazine

International regulation of shipping has shifted heavily away from the countries that register vessels and toward the local and national governments at the ships' ports of call.

The New York Times

In New Hampshire, next door, and in Oregon, across the country, two states that like Maine have shifted heavily toward the Democrats in recent years, the political landscape could not be more different.

The New York Times

Plains Exploration, which celebrated its first deal with Chesapeake back in 2008, reported a loss for the first quarter this year, but has since shifted heavily away from gas to oil production and is making money again.

The New York Times

"The scales of American history have shifted heavily against the intellectual life so essential to functional democracy," she warns.

Forbes

Yet, as the day progressed at Forbes Summitthethe focus shifted heavily toward the challenges around pricing and affordability of medicines.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift heavily" to emphasize a significant change in direction, focus, or quantity. It is particularly effective when describing strategic realignments or substantial alterations.

Common error

Avoid using "shift heavily" in situations where a simple "shift" or "change" suffices. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the magnitude of the shift is noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift heavily" primarily functions as a verb phrase, modifying the main verb to emphasize the magnitude and significance of the shift. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests its role in highlighting a substantial change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shift heavily" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that denotes a significant change or movement. Ludwig AI underscores its appropriateness for emphasizing the degree of alteration. While its frequency is relatively rare, it finds applications across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the magnitude of the shift warrants the emphasis, and consider related phrases such as "move significantly" or "change substantially" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move significantly

Emphasizes the movement or change in a noticeable manner, focusing on the degree of alteration.

change substantially

Highlights the magnitude of the change, indicating a considerable difference after the shift.

alter considerably

Focuses on the extent of alteration, suggesting a significant modification or adjustment.

lean strongly

Implies a pronounced inclination or bias towards a particular direction or viewpoint.

incline sharply

Suggests a rapid and decisive movement towards a specific preference or trend.

gravitate towards

Indicates a natural or compelling attraction to a particular option or outcome.

swing dramatically

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the shift, highlighting its magnitude.

veer sharply

Suggests an abrupt and decisive change in direction, often implying a course correction.

veer significantly

Highlights a notable deviation, focusing on a change of direction or tendency.

transform profoundly

Emphasizes the depth and comprehensiveness of the transformation, indicating a fundamental change.

FAQs

How can I use "shift heavily" in a sentence?

Use "shift heavily" to describe a significant change or movement towards something. For example: "The company's strategy will "shift heavily" towards sustainability."

What can I say instead of "shift heavily"?

You can use alternatives like "move significantly", "change substantially", or "incline sharply" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "shift heavily" in formal writing?

Yes, "shift heavily" can be used in formal writing, especially when emphasizing a substantial or strategic change. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing.

What's the difference between ""shift heavily"" and "shift slightly"?

"Shift heavily" implies a large, noticeable change, while "shift slightly" indicates a minor or subtle adjustment. The choice depends on the degree of change you want to convey.