under heavy strain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under heavy strain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or object that is experiencing significant pressure or stress, whether physical, emotional, or situational. Example: "The bridge was under heavy strain due to the increased traffic load, prompting engineers to conduct an immediate inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"The financial system in Europe is still under heavy strain.

The New York Times

Cell towers are notoriously put under heavy strain around the holiday season.

The New Yorker

Israel's relations with Turkey, once relatively close, also came under heavy strain.

The New York Times

ROME — In a sign of Italy's political fragility, the coalition government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta came under heavy strain on Wednesday, when the main center-right party of the former prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, called for a timeout from Parliament to discuss an impending court ruling for Mr. Berlusconi and its political consequences.

The New York Times

LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron issued a stern rebuke Tuesday to Britain's top military commanders in the air campaign against Libya after they warned in the last week that British forces would come under heavy strain if the air operations continued indefinitely.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The World Food Program has a plan to distribute rations to help Yemeni families under this heavy strain, but lacks funding from the international community.

The New York Times

Spotify saw a net loss of €394 million and operating loss of €91 million this quarter, showing it's still a ways off from becoming profitable under the heavy strain of its high royalty payments to record labels and artists.

TechCrunch

She appeared calm and serene -- a heroic demonstration, considering the heavy strain she'd been under and the important public performance she had ahead of her.

Huffington Post

An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances.

The Guardian

There's a heavy strain of fucked up science throughout.

Vice

It's a heavy strain for people to haven't read much".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or infrastructure, use "under heavy strain" to indicate that its capacity is being tested or nearing its limit. For instance, "The power grid was under heavy strain during the heatwave."

Common error

Avoid using "under heavy strain" to describe trivial situations. Overusing it dilutes its impact and makes your writing sound hyperbolic. Instead, reserve it for contexts where significant pressure or stress is genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under heavy strain" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes the condition or state of something experiencing significant pressure or stress, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI supports this through numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under heavy strain" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something experiencing significant pressure or stress. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While not extremely common, its usage is well-established. Related phrases include "under considerable pressure" and "experiencing intense pressure". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a situation of genuine stress to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under immense pressure

Simply replaces "heavy" with "immense", intensifying the level of pressure.

experiencing intense pressure

Replaces "heavy strain" with a more direct synonym, keeping the core meaning unchanged.

subjected to intense stress

Focuses on the stress experienced as a result of external forces, rather than the overall strain.

under considerable pressure

This alternative emphasizes the psychological or external forces acting upon something, rather than the resulting deformation or difficulty.

at breaking point

Suggests that the strain is nearing its limit, with potential for collapse or failure. More dramatic than the original phrase.

facing significant challenges

This phrase focuses on the difficulties encountered, rather than the stress or pressure causing them. It's more general and less intense.

bearing a heavy burden

Emphasizes the weight or responsibility causing the strain, rather than the strain itself.

under severe duress

This suggests a more forceful and potentially coercive pressure, often implying a lack of free will or choice.

grappling with intense difficulty

Focuses on the act of struggling with a difficult situation, rather than the state of being strained.

in a precarious position

This highlights the instability and potential danger resulting from the strain, rather than the strain itself.

FAQs

How can I use "under heavy strain" in a sentence?

Use "under heavy strain" to describe something experiencing significant pressure or stress. Example: "The healthcare system is "under heavy strain" due to the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to "under heavy strain"?

You can use phrases like "under considerable pressure", "facing significant challenges", or "experiencing intense pressure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "under heavy strain" or "under great strain"?

Both "under heavy strain" and "under great strain" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on your personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "under heavy strain" and "under heavy pressure"?

While similar, "under heavy strain" often implies a physical or systemic stress, while "under heavy pressure" can refer to psychological, political, or economic stress. The best choice depends on the specific context.