a pang of emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pang of emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden, brief feeling of strong emotion, often related to nostalgia, sadness, or longing. Example: "As she looked through the old photographs, she felt a pang of emotion that reminded her of her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You would feel a pang of emotion, but this is a stranger.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"No matter who you are, rejection will cause a pang of negative emotions," says Michaelis.

Huffington Post

I immediately felt a pang of anxiety.

The New York Times

I instantly felt a pang of regret.

The New York Times

I felt a pang of sympathy.

The Guardian - Books

It begins with a pang of envy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lan admits to a pang of regret.

The Guardian

Then I would feel a pang of guilt.

The New Yorker

Didn't she feel a pang of sympathy for Kate Middleton?

The Guardian

All the same, it causes a pang of regret.

The Guardian

Ordinary people will feel a pang of guilt".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pang of emotion" to effectively convey a brief but intense feeling, often associated with a memory or sudden realization. It's particularly suitable in descriptive writing to add depth to characters' internal states.

Common error

Avoid using "a pang of emotion" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or direct expression of feeling might be more appropriate. Overusing figurative language can detract from clarity in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pang of emotion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a brief, sharp feeling. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct but rare.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pang of emotion" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden, brief feeling. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, consider using this phrase to effectively convey a character's internal state, but be mindful of its register, as it may not be suitable for all formal contexts. Alternatives like "a surge of emotion" or "a fleeting feeling" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wave of feeling

Replaces "pang" with "wave", suggesting a more prolonged emotional experience.

a surge of emotion

Substitutes "pang" with "surge", indicating a sudden and powerful upwelling of emotion.

a fleeting feeling

Focuses on the brief nature of the emotional experience, similar to "pang".

a twinge of sadness

Specifies the emotion as sadness, narrowing the scope from general emotion.

a moment of anguish

Emphasizes a more intense and distressing emotional state.

a sharp feeling

Highlights the sudden and acute nature of the emotion.

a bitter feeling

Adds the nuance of bitterness to the emotional experience.

a sudden emotion

Simple variation which removes the word "pang" while keeping the sense of immediacy.

a prick of conscience

Indicates a specific type of emotion related to guilt or moral considerations.

a stirring of emotion

Implies a gentle and initial onset of feeling, less intense than a "pang".

FAQs

How can I use "a pang of emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "a pang of emotion" to describe a sudden, brief feeling. For example: "She felt "a pang of emotion" as she remembered her childhood friend."

What are some alternatives to "a pang of emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "a wave of feeling", "a surge of emotion", or "a fleeting feeling" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a pang of emotion" or "a lot of emotion"?

"A pang of emotion" describes a specific, brief, sharp feeling. "A lot of emotion" ("a lot of emotion") refers to a larger quantity or intensity of feelings in general. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a pang of emotion" and "a pang of sympathy"?

"A pang of emotion" is a general term for a sudden, sharp feeling. "A pang of sympathy" specifically refers to a sudden feeling of pity or compassion for someone else's suffering.