attack of pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attack of pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense experience of pain, often in a medical or descriptive context. Example: "She experienced an attack of pain in her lower back that left her unable to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The patient was started on a thyroid medication, and since his thyroid has been under control, he hasn't had another attack of pain or weakness for the past five months.

The New York Times

Although it is often considered that TN is easy to diagnosis there is an increasing understanding that TN has a varied presentation and that some patients report considerable amount of less intense burning or dull pain after the main sharp attack of pain which can be present for more than 50% of the time.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This attack of pain is meant to stop you in your tracks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The nausea, accompanied by headache, giddiness, and the experiencing of blind spots (scotomas), may precede the attacks of pain.

Britannica

These may include cataract of the eye, a form of angina (attacks of pain beneath the breastbone), or various disorders of the nervous system.

Britannica

Migraines are typically characterized by severe, disabling, recurrent attacks of pain confined to one side of the head, pulsating in quality and aggravated by routine physical activities.

The New Yorker

Neuralgia, or attacks of pain along the sensory nerves, are caused by irritation of some of the cranial nerves or spinal roots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The experience related to one of my most acquiescent patients, with whom hypnotism had enabled me to bring about the most marvellous results, and whom I was engaged in relieving of her suffering by tracing back her attacks of pain to their origins. . . .

The New Yorker

Alcohol intake aggravated the attacks of pain.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

After 2 months, intense paroxysmal attacks of pain appeared in the area of sensory loss.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

All patients have paroxysmal attacks of pain, affecting one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attack of pain" to describe a sudden, intense onset of pain, often unexpected. This phrasing is appropriate in both medical contexts and general descriptive writing.

Common error

While "attack of pain" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in overly casual situations where simpler terms like "sudden pain" or "sharp pain" would suffice. The phrase can sound overly dramatic in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attack of pain" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a sudden and intense experience. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in both medical and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attack of pain" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a sudden and intense onset of pain. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage is considered correct and appropriate in both medical and general contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the abrupt and often disruptive nature of such pain experiences. Alternatives like "onset of pain" or "bout of pain" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance desired. It is more suited for neutral to formal registers, making it a versatile phrase for accurately describing sudden pain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onset of pain

Replaces "attack" with "onset", focusing on the beginning of the pain.

bout of pain

Substitutes "attack" with "bout", indicating a short period of pain.

flare-up of pain

Uses "flare-up" instead of "attack", suggesting a sudden worsening of existing pain.

surge of pain

Replaces "attack" with "surge", emphasizing the intensity and suddenness of the pain.

episode of pain

Substitutes "attack" with "episode", focusing on the occurrence of pain as a distinct event.

sudden pain

Omission of "attack of" to emphasize on the suddenness of the pain.

sharp pain

Focuses on pain quality, indicating that it is sharp, sudden and extreme.

spasm of pain

Replaces "attack" with "spasm", suggesting a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction that causes pain.

paroxysm of pain

More formal and intense alternative using "paroxysm", indicating a sudden and uncontrollable increase in pain.

wave of pain

Replaces "attack" with "wave", portraying the sensation as something that comes and goes in intensity.

FAQs

What is another way to say "attack of pain"?

Alternatives include "onset of pain", "bout of pain", or "flare-up of pain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "attack of pain" in a medical context?

Yes, "attack of pain" is appropriate in medical contexts to describe the sudden onset of intense pain. However, medical professionals might prefer more specific terminology depending on the diagnosis.

When should I use "attack of pain" instead of "pain attack"?

"Attack of pain" is generally preferred because it follows a more standard English grammatical structure. "Pain attack", while understandable, is less common.

How does "attack of pain" differ from "chronic pain"?

"Attack of pain" describes a sudden, acute episode, while "chronic pain" refers to persistent, long-term pain. They describe different temporal aspects of the pain experience.