weighty problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"weighty problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a difficult problem that has a lot of gravity or importance. For example, "The government is facing a weighty problem of rising unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Why elephants aren't riddled with tumors poses a weighty problem for researchers.

Science Magazine

It first raised funding for its approach to building a virtual, on-demand workforce, and now it's trying to bring that distributed team to bear on another weighty problem: building up a user base.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it is not comedy's job to solve such weighty problems.

The New York Times

It is rare to see a movie present such weighty problems and offer nonsimplistic, practical solutions in story form.

The New York Times

Anderson is described as amiable, with a reservation: Lately, however, there had been a distinct feeling of strain and a kind of spiritual absence, as if he were turning weighty problems over in his mind.

The New Yorker

In 1951, he wrote to his friend the writer Howard Brubaker, "I started to get out a light magazine that wouldn't concern itself with the weighty problems of the universe, and now look at me".

The New Yorker

Ross wrote wearily in 1951, "I started to get out a light magazine that wouldn't concern itself with the weighty problems of the universe, and now look at me".

The New Yorker

Covering seventy-four pages in the English version, it purports to speak the council's mind on a number of weighty problems not fully or adequately dealt with in other Council texts.

The New Yorker

Anderson is described as amiable, with a reservation: **{:.break one} ** Lately, however, there had been a distinct feeling of strain and a kind of spiritual absence, as if he were turning weighty problems over in his mind.

The New Yorker

It was not unusual to see Mr. Clinton lead guests to the White House mess for a late-night snack and for some intense discussion on any one of a number of weighty problems.

The New York Times

Yet, if he hadn't seen a small bulletin-board flier for an undergraduate research opportunity 20 years ago, Colón (pictured left, with students) might not be working on such weighty problems today.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weighty problem", ensure the context clearly reflects the significance and impact of the issue being discussed. Consider alternative phrases if a less formal tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "weighty problem" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious when a simpler expression would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weighty problem" functions as a noun phrase where "weighty" modifies the noun "problem". It serves to emphasize the significance and seriousness of the issue at hand. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weighty problem" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a significant issue, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the seriousness of the problem. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, it should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives such as "serious issue" or "significant challenge" may be more appropriate in informal communication. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase carries a neutral to formal register, indicating its widespread applicability across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy problem

Replaces "weighty" with "heavy", emphasizing the burdensome or difficult nature of the problem.

major problem

Substitutes "weighty" with "major", indicating that the problem is important and requires immediate attention.

ponderous problem

Replaces "weighty" with "ponderous", suggesting a problem that requires deep thought and consideration.

great problem

Substitutes "weighty" with "great", indicating the problem's large scale or importance.

considerable problem

Uses "considerable" instead of "weighty", highlighting the problem's significant impact or scope.

substantial problem

Substitutes "weighty" with "substantial", indicating the problem's significant size or importance.

severe problem

Uses "severe" instead of "weighty", highlighting the problem's seriousness and potential consequences.

weighty dilemma

Replaces "problem" with "dilemma", suggesting a difficult choice or situation.

strong problem

Substitutes "weighty" with "strong", implying the problem is potent or difficult to overcome.

large problem

Uses "large" instead of "weighty", highlighting the problem's extensive scope or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "weighty problem" in a sentence?

"Weighty problem" is typically used to describe an issue of significant importance or consequence. For example, "The company faces a "weighty problem" regarding its declining sales figures."

What are some alternatives to "weighty problem"?

You can use alternatives such as "serious issue", "significant challenge", or "major concern" depending on the specific context.

Is "weighty problem" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "weighty problem" is suitable for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the importance or complexity of an issue. It conveys a sense of seriousness and significance.

What's the difference between "weighty problem" and "difficult problem"?

While both phrases describe a challenge, ""weighty problem"" implies a greater level of importance, impact, or consequence than "difficult problem". Weighty suggests the problem has considerable gravity.