What Does “Weigh upon sb” Mean?
“Weigh upon sb” means to cause someone to feel worried, burdened, or troubled by something.
Introduction
The phrase “Weigh upon sb” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe the feeling of emotional or mental burden. When something weighs upon a person, it means that it troubles them or makes them feel stressed or guilty. Understanding the “Weigh upon sb meaning” helps learners express feelings of pressure or concern clearly. This phrase is often used in both spoken and written English to describe worries or problems that affect someone’s mood or state of mind.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Weigh upon somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To cause someone to feel emotionally or mentally burdened
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Weigh upon sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot place an object between “weigh” and “upon.”
Patterns:
- Weigh upon + somebody (pronoun or noun)
- Example: The decision weighs upon her.
How to Use Weigh upon sb?
Use “weigh upon sb” when you want to describe a feeling of worry, guilt, or pressure that affects a person. It often refers to emotional or mental stress rather than physical weight. The phrase is commonly used in formal and informal contexts.
Example contexts include feeling guilty about a mistake, being worried about a problem, or feeling pressured by responsibilities.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “Weigh upon sb in a sentence”:
- The guilt of lying weighed upon him for days.
- Financial problems began to weigh upon her mind.
- The responsibility of caring for his family weighed heavily upon him.
- She felt the burden of her past mistakes weighing upon her constantly.
- The thought of the upcoming exam weighed upon the students.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “weigh upon” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly in sentences.
- Incorrect: The problem weighs upon.
- Correct: The problem weighs upon him.
- Incorrect: This issue weighs him upon.
- Correct: This issue weighs upon him.
Remember, “weigh upon” must always be followed by the person who feels the burden.
Differences / Synonyms
“Weigh upon sb” is similar to phrases like “bear down on sb” or “press upon sb,” but it usually refers to emotional or mental burden rather than physical pressure.
- Weigh upon sb: Emotional or mental burden.
- Bear down on sb: Strong pressure, often physical or mental, sometimes aggressive.
- Press upon sb: To create a sense of urgency or pressure.
- Weigh on sb: Very similar and often interchangeable, means to cause worry or stress.
Use “weigh upon” when emphasizing internal emotional weight.
Common Collocations
Some common objects that often “weigh upon” someone include:
- Guilt: Feeling responsible for a wrong action.
- Responsibility: Duties or tasks that cause pressure.
- Fear: Anxiety or worry about possible danger.
- Problem: Difficult situations causing stress.
- Conscience: Inner sense of right and wrong.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of weigh upon sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Listen to how “weigh upon sb” is used in everyday conversation:
Anna: You look stressed. Is something wrong?
Tom: Yes, the upcoming presentation is really weighing upon me.
Anna: I understand. Try to take it one step at a time.
Tom: Thanks, I’ll try. It’s just hard when so much responsibility weighs upon you.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “weigh upon sb”:
- The decision to move abroad ___________ him heavily.
- Her past mistakes continue to ___________ her.
- Don’t let worries ___________ your mind.
FAQ
- Q: Is “weigh upon sb” formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can “weigh upon” be used with things other than people?
A: No, it is usually used with people who feel emotional or mental burden. - Q: What is the difference between “weigh upon” and “weigh on”?
A: Both are similar and often interchangeable, but “weigh upon” sounds a bit more formal. - Q: Can I say “The problem weighs upon” without a person?
A: No, you must include the person who feels the burden. - Q: Is “weigh upon” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. The object must come after “upon.”
