under the weight of

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the weight of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that cannot be supported or resisted under the pressure or load of something else. For example, "The bridge eventually caved in under the weight of the oncoming traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strain under the weight of his sadness?

The New York Times - Books

It crashed under the weight of interest.

The Guardian

Rubio collapsed under the weight of his own charming contradictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Branches have simply snapped under the weight of snow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is cracking under the weight of its own greed.

The New York Times

A portobello mushroom groaned under the weight of its stuffing.

The New York Times

Presumably under the weight of House Stark fans' tears.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the summit collapsed under the weight of those expectations.

The Guardian - Books

They had simply broken under the weight of their bounty.

The New Yorker

My relief gave way under the weight of sudden anger.

The New Yorker

Premier has struggled under the weight of its borrowings.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the weight of" to vividly describe situations where something is collapsing or struggling due to excessive burden or pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "under the weight of" in contexts where a simpler, more direct phrase would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the weight of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the cause or condition leading to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Books

25%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sports

4%

Food

3%

Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the weight of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe situations where something is burdened, pressured, or overwhelmed. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. It is frequently used in contexts such as news, books, and lifestyle content. While alternatives like "burdened by" or "overwhelmed by" exist, "under the weight of" provides a vivid and specific way to express the impact of a significant force or burden. Be mindful of overusing it to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed by

Highlights the feeling of being unable to cope with something.

burdened by

Focuses on the feeling of carrying a heavy load, whether physical or emotional.

straining under

Focuses on the effort and tension involved in carrying a heavy load.

crushed by

Emphasizes the destructive power of a heavy burden.

oppressed by

Implies a sense of being suppressed or dominated by something.

labouring under

Suggests a heavy and arduous effort under a difficult condition.

bowed down by

Emphasizes the physical or emotional bending under pressure.

struggling with

Indicates a difficult effort to deal with a burden.

suffering from

Highlights the negative consequences of a heavy burden.

sagging with

Describes the physical drooping or weakening due to a heavy load.

FAQs

How can I use "under the weight of" in a sentence?

You can use "under the weight of" to describe something collapsing or struggling due to a heavy burden, for example, "The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow."

What are some alternatives to "under the weight of"?

Alternatives include "burdened by", "oppressed by", or "overwhelmed by", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "due to" or "under the weight of"?

"Due to" is a more general causal connector, while "under the weight of" implies a specific burden or pressure causing a collapse or struggle. Choose the phrase that best reflects the relationship you want to convey.

Can "under the weight of" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "under the weight of" is often used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological burdens, such as "He buckled under the weight of guilt."