a wave of pain

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wave of pain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense and sudden surge of physical pain. For example, "She felt a wave of pain shoot through her arm as she moved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then a wave of pain overwhelms him, and his body curls in on itself.

The New Yorker

Trump, he said, "is riding on a wave of pain that he never has felt".

Huffington Post

Instead, they died brutally in the shadows, and their deaths leave behind a wave of pain that will be reverberating throughout the city for generations.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was experiencing a wave of initial pain that i just needed to ride out.

Huffington Post

A torrential wave of pain and grief filling every atom of your body.

The Washington Post

Immediately a fresh wave of pain washes over me, gripping my muscles.

HuffPost

Each revelation brought a fresh wave of pain and guilt as Peggy struggled to understand how she could have missed the signs.

Huffington Post

The report, published Tuesday by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, suggests that a delayed wave of pain may be coming for low-earning renters and homeowners.

Huffington Post

"As I stand before you I feel a great wave of pain and emotion from this community, and from these victims.

Vice

As many of us are becoming grandmothers ourselves, or maybe wish we were, we feel a fresh wave of pain at her loss; her missed opportunity to experience that joy that so many are feeling firsthand.

Huffington Post

His treatment, called intradiscal electrothermal therapy, or IDET, is the latest in a wave of new remedies for back pain, an ailment that continues to torment the masses.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of pain" to describe a sudden, intense feeling of physical or emotional discomfort. It effectively conveys the idea of a sensation that rises and then subsides, similar to a wave.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of pain" to describe chronic, low-level discomfort. The phrase implies a sudden surge, not a constant state. For persistent pain, consider phrases like "a persistent ache" or "chronic discomfort."

Linguistic Context

A wave of pain functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes an intense and sudden surge of pain. The phrase conveys a specific sensation that rises and falls, much like a literal wave.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of pain" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of physical or emotional discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English writing. While relatively rare in occurrence, this phrase effectively conveys the sensation of something rising and then subsiding, similar to a physical wave. It's appropriate for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, and should be used to describe sensations that have a distinct beginning and end, not chronic or constant discomfort. Alternative phrases such as "a surge of agony" or "a rush of discomfort" can be used depending on the desired intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of agony

Replaces "pain" with a more intense synonym, emphasizing the sudden onset.

a spasm of torment

Replaces "wave" with "spasm" and "pain" with "torment", indicating a sharp, acute experience.

an attack of agony

Substitutes "wave" with "attack" and "pain" with "agony", emphasizing a sudden and forceful onset.

a flood of hurt

Replaces "wave" with "flood" and "pain" with "hurt", emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the sensation.

an upwelling of suffering

Replaces "wave" with "upwelling" and "pain" with "suffering", suggesting a gradual increase in anguish.

a pang of suffering

Replaces the intensity and duration implied by "wave" with a short, sharp "pang".

a rush of discomfort

Substitutes "pain" with a milder term, suggesting a less severe experience.

a stab of discomfort

Substitutes "wave" with "stab" and "pain" with "discomfort", suggesting a localized and less intense sensation.

a wash of aches

Replaces "wave" with "wash" and "pain" with "aches", indicating a more diffuse and generalized discomfort.

a tingle of distress

Replaces "wave" with "tingle" and "pain" with "distress", suggesting a minor and unsettling sensation.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of pain" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of pain" to describe a sudden and intense feeling. For example, "Then a wave of pain overwhelms him" or "Immediately a fresh wave of pain washes over me".

What's a good alternative to "a wave of pain"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a surge of agony", "a rush of discomfort", or "an upwelling of suffering".

Does "a wave of pain" only refer to physical sensations?

While often used for physical pain, "a wave of pain" can also describe intense emotional suffering or distress. It captures the feeling of something overwhelming and then receding, applicable to both physical and emotional experiences.

Is it correct to say "waves of pain" instead of "a wave of pain"?

Yes, "waves of pain" is also correct. It suggests a series of painful sensations rather than a single, isolated experience. For example, "Waves of pain ran along his arm".