very heavy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very heavy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or situation that has a significant weight or burden. Example: "The box was very heavy, making it difficult for her to lift it off the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very heavy.

The New York Times

It's very heavy.

The New York Times

It's really very heavy.

Independent

these were very heavy!

Columbia University

Iron-wood; very heavy.

Cornell University

The firing was very heavy".

The New York Times

It's a very heavy element.

The New Yorker

TOAD-STRANGLER Very heavy rain.

The New York Times - Books

It was very heavy.

The Guardian

They're very heavy.

The Washington Post

The impact was very heavy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like emotions or burdens, use "very heavy" to convey a significant sense of weight or intensity. For example: "The responsibility felt very heavy after the incident."

Common error

Avoid using "very heavy" when a more precise adjective would be more descriptive and impactful. Instead of saying "The rock was very heavy", consider "The rock was dense and cumbersome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very heavy" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase used to modify nouns. Ludwig AI shows it describes a significant degree of weight, either physical or metaphorical, amplifying the adjective "heavy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

17%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very heavy" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to emphasize the degree of heaviness, either physically or metaphorically. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts, thus having a neutral register. When using "very heavy", be mindful of opportunities to use more precise adjectives for enhanced descriptive impact. Consider alternatives such as "extremely heavy" or "considerably heavy" for slight variations in meaning. The authoritative sources from Ludwig confirm its widespread and acceptable use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely heavy

Emphasizes the intensity of the heaviness.

considerably heavy

Highlights the significant amount of weight or burden.

remarkably heavy

Stresses the notable nature of the heaviness.

exceptionally heavy

Indicates that the heaviness is beyond the norm.

noticeably heavy

Focuses on the easily perceived weight or burden.

substantially heavy

Underlines the large degree of weight.

particularly heavy

Singles out the specific instance as being heavy.

intensely heavy

Emphasizes the strength or force of the heaviness.

unusually heavy

Indicates that the heaviness is atypical or unexpected.

appreciably heavy

Highlights that the weight is considerable and can be felt or noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "very heavy" in a sentence?

You can use "very heavy" to describe physical weight, like "The box was "very heavy"", or abstract burdens, such as "The news was "very heavy" on his heart".

What are some synonyms for "very heavy"?

Alternatives to "very heavy" include "extremely heavy", "considerably heavy", or "remarkably heavy", each adding a slightly different nuance to the description.

When is it inappropriate to use "very heavy"?

Avoid using "very heavy" when a more specific and descriptive adjective would be more effective. For instance, instead of saying "The rain was very heavy", you could say "The rain was torrential".

What's the difference between "very heavy" and "extremely heavy"?

"Extremely heavy" (/s/extremely+heavy) implies a higher degree of weight or burden than "very heavy". "Extremely" suggests the weight is at the highest end of the scale, while "very" indicates a significant, but potentially lesser, weight.