weight of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the emotional burden or heaviness one feels due to feelings of guilt. Example: "After lying to her friend, she felt the weight of guilt pressing down on her, making it hard to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Better merged than submerged, perhaps, drowned beneath the weight of guilt and impossible expectations.

The Guardian - Money

Carr said she can't close her eyes without feeling a weight of guilt descend on her.

The Guardian

Calvinists thought "negatively," as we would say today, carrying a weight of guilt and foreboding that sometimes broke their spirits.

The New York Times

You always get a good slap across the face, and you accept it because you have no other option because the weight of guilt is just too great.

The Guardian - Arts

"For the first time I could actually see the incredible weight of guilt on the shoulders of the German people," he said.

The New York Times

The tendons of his jaw swell with the strain of stifled feelings; his brows, usually tasked with double takes and farcical arching, knit with a terrible weight of guilt.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Many of his colleagues were appalled as he condemned the bombing, aghast at the weight of his guilt.

The New York Times

Poor child Edmund, to blame for everything, must bear the full weight of a guilt only Christians know how to inflict, with a twisted knife to the heart.

The Guardian - Books

She occasionally bends under the weight of grief, guilt and an anger at the "hearts o' stone" of mankind, but she will never, ever break.

The New York Times

He cuts away the moral foundations (delusive as they are) on which the family has lived, leaving them despondent and shattered by the weight of a guilt too heavy to bear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps Sharpe should release one of Maurice's books: As Nana Grubb gasped her terminal breath / Mr Grubb paled at the cause of her death / He gathered her bones and felt his heart wilt / Too weak to endure the sheer weight of his guilt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weight of guilt" when you want to emphasize the oppressive and burdensome nature of feeling guilty about something. It is particularly effective in describing long-lasting or profound feelings of guilt.

Common error

Avoid using "weight of guilt" interchangeably with simple "guilt". "Weight of guilt" specifically highlights the burdensome aspect of the emotion, while "guilt" is a more general term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weight of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence to describe an emotional state. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs like 'descend', 'expiate', or 'lift', indicating the impact of guilt. Ludwig AI analysis confirm its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weight of guilt" effectively describes the oppressive emotional burden caused by feeling guilty. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across different sources. While alternatives like "burden of guilt" or "load of guilt" exist, "weight of guilt" emphasizes the long-lasting and profound impact of guilt. It's essential to differentiate this from the general term "guilt", reserving "weight of guilt" for situations where the burdensome aspect is central to the message. The phrase is seen mostly in News & Media but it is also used in Science and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burden of guilt

Replaces "weight" with "burden", emphasizing the oppressive nature of the feeling.

load of guilt

Substitutes "weight" with "load", highlighting the heavy feeling of guilt.

crushing guilt

Emphasizes the intensity and overwhelming nature of the guilt.

sense of guilt

Replaces "weight" with "sense", focusing on the awareness of guilt rather than its heaviness.

feeling of guilt

Similar to "sense of guilt", emphasizing the emotional experience.

pang of guilt

Indicates a sudden, sharp feeling of guilt.

remorse

A more concise term conveying deep regret and guilt.

contrition

Implies sincere remorse and repentance.

guilty conscience

Focuses on the internal awareness of wrongdoing.

moral burden

Shifts the focus to the ethical implications of the guilt.

FAQs

What does the phrase "weight of guilt" mean?

The phrase "weight of guilt" refers to the feeling of being burdened or oppressed by feelings of guilt, often resulting from having done something wrong or feeling responsible for a negative outcome.

How can I use "weight of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "weight of guilt" to describe a character's internal state, for example: "He carried the "weight of guilt" for years after the accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "weight of guilt"?

Alternatives include "burden of guilt", "load of guilt", or simply experiencing "remorse", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "weight of guilt"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in literature and everyday conversation.