appalling pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of pain that is shocking or horrifying, often in a medical or emotional context. Example: "After the accident, he experienced appalling pain that left him unable to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Without Ayub Ommaya lots of people, some of them American, would be dead or suffering appalling pain.

The Guardian

PDJ I think a person whose life, perhaps through appalling pain, has become intolerable has the right to end it.

The Guardian - Books

In 1987, Moore was diagnosed with HIV; six years later, at a New Year's Eve party, he discovered that the appalling pain in his stomach was not caused by too much coke or ecstasy, but by shingles in his guts.

The Guardian

A powerful story of survival in extremes, conveying with brutal honesty the physical and psychological horrors of three days spent in appalling pain, dehydrated and hungry, and haunted by the thought that he would find base camp abandoned.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He never knew his father, found his appalling mother a pain (as she was), and he had a humiliating deformity – a club foot – into the bargain.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The sexual abuse of a child, any child, is appalling and we regret any pain that any of our alumni have suffered," Mr. Harman wrote to me in an e-mail.

The New York Times

How could a director even feel the need to make audiences feel the physical pain of the horrific, appalling police actions?

The New Yorker

His argument that we can all feel better about stuffing animal parts into our mouths if the animals have been deprived of their ability to register pain as "unpleasant" is appalling.

The New York Times

Pain on faces when he delivers the appalling news that 41 lives could have been saved.

The Guardian - Sport

These numbers and the true pain behind them is real, stark and truly appalling.

Huffington Post

When I got the tattoo, soon after, I almost laughed: the pain of it was so minor compared to the appalling, churning gut-wrench of his sudden death.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical or emotional suffering, use "appalling pain" to convey a sense of shock and horror at the intensity of the experience. The phrase is most impactful when the pain is unexpected or particularly severe.

Common error

Avoid using "appalling pain" to describe minor discomfort or commonplace aches. The phrase's intensity is best reserved for truly extreme instances, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling pain" functions as a descriptive term, where "appalling" modifies the noun "pain". It serves to intensify the description of the pain, highlighting its shocking and severe nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appalling pain" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a shockingly intense level of pain. Though relatively rare, it effectively conveys the severity and unexpected nature of the suffering. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correct usage is suitable across various contexts, particularly in news, literature, and scientific writing. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "excruciating pain" or "intense agony" to fine-tune the desired nuance. Remember to reserve "appalling pain" for situations where the intensity is truly exceptional to maintain its descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excruciating pain

Emphasizes the extreme intensity and unbearable nature of the pain.

unendurable pain

Focuses on the inability to withstand the pain.

agonizing pain

Highlights the prolonged and tormenting nature of the pain.

horrific pain

Stresses the shocking and dreadful quality of the pain.

unbearable suffering

Shifts the focus from the physical sensation to the overall experience of distress.

intense agony

Highlights the severity and torment caused by the pain.

debilitating pain

Emphasizes the incapacitating effect of the pain on one's ability to function.

extreme distress

Broadens the scope to include both physical and emotional anguish.

severe discomfort

Focuses on the unpleasant and limiting nature of the physical sensation.

terrible ache

Emphasizes the dull, persistent, and unpleasant nature of the pain.

FAQs

How can I use "appalling pain" in a sentence?

You can use "appalling pain" to describe a level of pain that is shockingly intense, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The accident caused him "appalling pain"" or "She suffered "appalling pain" after the loss."

What are some alternatives to "appalling pain"?

Alternatives include "excruciating pain", "intense agony", or "unbearable suffering" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "appalling pain" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "appalling pain" is not as frequently used as some of its alternatives like "excruciating pain". It's more impactful in specific contexts where the shock factor of the pain is emphasized.

What is the difference between "appalling pain" and "horrific pain"?

"Appalling pain" emphasizes the shocking and dreadful nature of the pain, while "horrific pain" highlights the terror and horror associated with the experience. They are similar but "appalling" adds an element of unexpected severity.