ache about

USAGE SUMMARY

"ache about" is not a grammatically correct phrase.
It is possible that you may have heard or seen the phrase used in spoken language, but it is not commonly used or accepted in written English. A better way to express this idea would be to use "ache over" or "ache because of." For example: "I ache over the loss of my grandmother" or "My back aches because of the long day at work."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

My head and eyes started to ache about 30 minutes in, and I had to keep taking tiny breaks, lifting up the headset to let in the real world.

MIT Technology Review

There is "Kathleen," a musical ache about Ms. Moran's late mother, "a typical 70's housewife" who owned Ocean Grove's Shell Craft Shop.

The New York Times

"A dull ache, about half a mile into the run," he writes one day, and, later, "I've had a bad cold the last two days, like running with a lantern in my throat".

The New Yorker

His play "An Infinite Ache," about a couple's sweet and sour relationship from first date to death and back again, was scheduled to open this weekend at the Globe Theater in San Diego.

The New York Times

Redmond: The other reason the play touches people is that it's got an ache about it and a desire to put a label on that ache that both men and women recognise.

The Guardian

Michael Matthew Micucciis is a new employee at a messy bookstore, and upon arriving for his first day of work he is immediately taken with Edie (Stephanie Wright Thompson), a co-worker with an unrelenting ache about her.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One can never entirely detach personal background and culture from ideology, much as the guests at that dinner party belly-ached about fellow members of their respective tribes.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the Democrats are belly-aching about the slowdown and contrasting Mr Bush's economic record with Bill Clinton's.In this section Another costly war that America can never win?

The Economist

I suffered some slight ankle aches about 10 miles from the end of the trail because I'd foolishly laced my shoes too tight after my last water stop but I promptly stopped and loosened them when I figured out what the problem was.

Stanford University

She was clearly aching about her decision and the inevitable impact on him.

Forbes

Think about it: If you could pick between sitting on your couch bitching to your girlfriend about the same problem you've been belly-aching about for years, or you could stay on that same couch but get on the line with a professional who can offer you sound therapeutic counsel, which sounds like the smarter move?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "ache about" appears in some contexts, favor more standard alternatives such as "worry about", "be concerned about", or "feel sorrow for" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "ache about" in formal writing or professional communication. This phrase is not widely recognized as grammatically correct. Instead, opt for alternatives like "concerned about" or "saddened by" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ache about" functions as a verb phrase attempting to express concern or emotional distress regarding a particular subject. However, Ludwig AI indicates this is not grammatically correct, suggesting alternative phrasing for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

27%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "ache about" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This analysis reveals that while the intent is to express concern or distress, it's best to use alternatives like "worry about", "be concerned about", or "feel sorrow for" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. These alternatives are more widely accepted in formal and professional contexts, while "ache about" may be suitable only for informal communication. The frequency of "ache about" is classified as "Common" based on the number of examples found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worry about

Expresses concern or anxiety regarding a particular subject; focusing on the mental aspect rather than physical discomfort.

be concerned about

Highlights a state of being worried or troubled, often implying a sense of responsibility or care.

feel sorrow for

Indicates a feeling of sadness or pity, specifically directed toward someone or something.

be distressed by

Emphasizes the emotional suffering caused by a particular event or situation.

be saddened by

Highlights the feeling of sorrow or unhappiness caused by a specific event or situation.

grieve over

Signifies a deep sorrow or mourning, usually in response to a loss or disappointment.

feel anguish about

Signifies severe mental or physical suffering caused by something.

feel pain regarding

Denotes emotional or psychological suffering in connection with something.

lament over

Implies expressing sorrow or regret, often in a public or demonstrative way.

feel remorse for

Expresses a sense of regret or guilt for a past action or decision.

FAQs

Is "ache about" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "ache about" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use alternatives such as "worry about" or "be concerned about".

What can I say instead of "ache about"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "ache about" with alternatives like "feel sorrow for", "grieve over", or "be distressed by".

How can I use "worry about" correctly in a sentence?

Use "worry about" to express concern or anxiety. For example, "I "worry about" the future of our planet".

Is it better to say "ache about" or "ache over"?

While "ache about" is uncommon and grammatically questionable, "ache over" is a more accepted alternative when expressing longing or sorrow. For example, "She "ached over" the lost opportunity".