weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to the heaviness of an object or metaphorically to describe the significance or burden of something. Example: "The weight of the decision rested heavily on her shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Importantly for Clark he now carries nothing like the weight of expectation he had at Melbourne, for whom – no matter what anyone says of his departure – he always tried valiantly.

The Guardian - Sport

Ancelotti added weight to his frontline by replacing the midfielder Thiago Motta with Gameiro and the newcomer's tricky dribble caused enough confusion in the Valencia defence to allow Lavezzi to finish.

The Guardian - Sport

Weight Watchers recommends that you weigh yourself once a week, while some dieting sites suggest throwing away your scales so as not to become demoralised.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A study in the New England Journal on maintaining weight loss in 314 successful dieters (who had lost an average of 19.3kg in the past two years) found that those who weighed themselves daily were less likely to gain 2.3kg or more over the next 18 months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The authors of the PLOS One study also published a paper in Obesity Facts (although, again, the study was small) showing that people whose weight fluctuated the most over the week were actually the most likely to keep their weight steady – perhaps because this is actually the normal rhythm of our weight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One section on Dawn Wall was protected entirely by the hooks mentioned above, which are really designed for only body weight in aid climbing – not long falls.

The Guardian

That attitude has never really changed at a club which punches well above its weight financially and still has no training facility of its own.

The Guardian - Sport

Although universities would be free to weight marks how they wished and also decide on whether to include marks for first-year students, the report stressed the importance of establishing a universal approach to GPA.

The Guardian

While the abuse Malik has received focuses mostly on her race, some users made comments about her appearance and weight and others called her a "dirty Muslim".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Occasionally they get more people to show up, but they've carried the weight for two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

They seem to think there is some critical mass that, through the weight of belief alone, will get us where we want to go.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weight" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a burden, influence, or significance. For example, "The weight of responsibility" clearly conveys a burden.

Common error

Avoid using "weight" in contexts where a more specific term like "importance" or "influence" would provide greater clarity. Overusing "weight" can make your writing vague. Instead of saying "The weight of the argument", consider "The strength of the argument".

Linguistic Context

The word "weight" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the force exerted on an object due to gravity, or metaphorically, the significance or burden of something. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage in both physical and abstract contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "weight" is a versatile term, predominantly used as a noun to denote physical heaviness or metaphorical significance. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage in English. Its prevalence is evident in news, science, and formal business contexts, making it a very common term overall. To use "weight" effectively, consider the specific context: is it physical mass, a burden, or a level of importance? Related terms like "heaviness", "burden", and "influence" can offer more nuanced alternatives. Remember, overusing "weight" in abstract contexts can reduce clarity; aim for more precise language when possible. According to Ludwig, "weight" is a common word in the English language and it's key to understand its context in order to properly replace it for an appropriate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heaviness

Focuses more directly on the physical sensation or quality of being heavy.

load

Implies something carried or supported, often with a sense of burden.

burden

Emphasizes the emotional or psychological impact of something difficult to bear.

pressure

Highlights the force or stress exerted by something.

importance

Shifts the focus to the significance or consequence of something.

influence

Emphasizes the power to affect or change something.

impact

Highlights the effect or result of something.

significance

Emphasizes the quality of being worthy of attention.

effect

Focuses on the consequence or outcome of something.

gravity

Highlights the seriousness or importance of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "weight" in a sentence?

You can use "weight" to describe the heaviness of an object, as in "The box had significant weight". It can also be used metaphorically to describe importance or burden, such as "The weight of the decision rested on her shoulders".

What are some synonyms for "weight"?

Alternatives for "weight" include "heaviness", "burden", "importance", and "influence" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "weight" to describe emotional burden?

Yes, "weight" can be used to describe an emotional burden. For example, "She carried the weight of her family's expectations". This usage is common and grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "weight" and "mass"?

"Weight" is the force on an object due to gravity, while "mass" is the amount of matter in an object. Although related, they are not the same thing. Weight can change depending on gravitational force, but mass remains constant.