Grammar fix
heavy smoker
person who smokes a lot
A heavy smoker is someone who smokes cigarettes very often or in large amounts.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
My uncle is a heavy smoker and usually finishes a pack of cigarettes every day.
In my opinion, being a heavy smoker can seriously affect your health and make it harder to quit later.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He is a strong smoker.
Say: He is a heavy smoker.
It's a 'heavy' smoker/drinker, not 'strong' or 'big'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'A heavy smoker' is the fixed phrase; the paraphrase is laughable.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a heavy smoker
- heavy
- drinker
- used to be
- lifelong