they were hefty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were hefty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone as large, heavy, or substantial in size or weight. Example: "The boxes they delivered were hefty, making it difficult to move them without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They were hefty and red-speckled, their tops bobbing in a tight phalanx.

The New York Times

Draw a map of possible outcomes, and to avoid defeat the future government would need to secure a renegotiation, win hefty concessions, convince the public that they were hefty and then persuade voters to answer the question on the ballot paper rather than generally vent spleen.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Though the policies require only a couple of premium payments, they are hefty.

The New York Times

Built to work for organizations of all shapes and sizes, they're hefty all-purpose multi-tools that do what you need and a million other things you probably don't.

TechCrunch

They're hefty amalgamations of lumpy but glossy ceramics and polished furnishings.

Vice

Most were hefty enough to work as a main course.

The New York Times

I wonder what she thought of Christopher Hitchens' remarks in Vanity Fair earlier this year, when he wrote: "Why are women, who have the whole male world at their mercy, not funny?" He went on to note, equivocally, that there are "some impressive ladies out there", but that they tend to be "hefty or dykey or Jewish, or some combo of the three".

The Guardian

At the end of 10 days, they were on hefty doses of narcotics, and they were in agony.

The New York Times - Health

They were a hefty slice of Mr. McCain's support in New Hampshire, but in national polls they also tend to like Mr. Gore.

The New York Times

They told about symptoms becoming worse over time and they were prescribed hefty pill regimes needing active management.

BMC Palliative Care

But they would need to be hefty for a Wellstream deal to meet G.E.'s cost of capital any time soon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were hefty" to describe something with considerable weight or size, especially when you want to convey a sense of robustness or substance. It's suitable for both physical objects and abstract concepts like burdens or responsibilities.

Common error

While "they were hefty" is grammatically correct, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "they were substantial" or "they were considerable" in academic or business writing. Choose your wording to suit the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were hefty" functions as a descriptive phrase. It serves to provide information about the size, weight, or significance of the subject (they). It is used to characterize something as being large, heavy, or substantial, adding detail and imagery to the description as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were hefty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something substantial in size, weight, or significance. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is correct. It finds application in various contexts, mainly News & Media, and occasionally Science. While not overly formal, it's essential to consider the context and choose more appropriate alternatives for formal writing. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the impressive size or weight of something. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like ""they were substantial"" or ""they were bulky"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were hefty in size

Explicitly states that the heftiness refers to size.

they were substantial

Replaces "hefty" with a more formal synonym emphasizing size and importance.

they were sizable

A more neutral synonym for hefty, indicating a notable size.

they were bulky

Suggests a large and unwieldy size, similar to hefty.

they were massive

Indicates a very large size or scale.

they were quite large

A simpler and more common way to express the idea of being hefty.

they were weighty

Emphasizes the heaviness or burden associated with something.

they were stout

Implies a combination of heaviness and robustness.

they were considerable

Focuses on the magnitude or importance rather than physical size.

they were significant

Shifts the focus to importance or impact rather than physical characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "they were hefty" in a sentence?

You can use "they were hefty" to describe objects, portions, or even abstract concepts that are substantial in size or weight. For example, "The books "they were hefty" and difficult to carry" or "The fines "they were hefty", reflecting the severity of the violation."

What are some alternatives to "they were hefty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "they were substantial", "they were bulky", or "they were considerable". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize size, weight, or importance.

Is "they were hefty" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "they were hefty" might be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "they were significant" or ""they were considerable"". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

How does the meaning of "they were hefty" differ from "they were heavy"?

While both describe weight, "they were hefty" often implies a combination of size and weight, suggesting something is robust or substantial. "They were heavy" simply indicates that something has a lot of weight, without necessarily implying size.