bouts of pain

USAGE SUMMARY

"bouts of pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal way of referring to periods of pain or episodes of pain. For example: John has been suffering from bouts of pain in his lower back for several weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He still has bouts of pain but less frequently and less intensity.

Harvard University

Instead of daily bouts of pain, she was now getting about three a week.

The New York Times - Magazine

She tired often and suffered bouts of pain, and on several occasions she stopped breathing entirely.

The Washington Post

In between bouts of pain, however, he was in the giddy high spirits of a man newly sprung from a prison of thought.

The New Yorker

A day after the ruling, Mr. Martin, 31, sat in his lawyer's office in Lower Manhattan and described daily bouts of pain.

The New York Times

You can confuse a lie detector test by subjecting yourself to random bouts of pain, which masks any whoppers by generating strong physiological responses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I tried every remedy ever invented, but still ended up weeping for mercy on the bathroom floor, pinned there for six hours by violent bouts of pain-induced vomiting, telling my husband that I wanted to die.

Huffington Post

The volunteers did not show the pain signature response while anticipating a painfully hot sensation or remembering a previous bout of pain.

Science Magazine

To use a dreaded insurance industry term, what if it is a "pre-existing condition" that has nothing to do with the current acute bout of pain?

HuffPost

For instance, Paddy (quoted above) experienced a much worse bout of pain, which prompted him to be more 'aggressive' with his doctors about trying to ascertain its cause.

BMJ Open

Then bouts of neuralgiform pain were not followed by cluster-type pain.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a chronic condition, use "bouts of pain" to indicate that the pain is not constant but occurs intermittently. This helps convey the fluctuating nature of the experience.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of pain" to describe a single, continuous pain episode. Reserve it for conditions where pain comes and goes. For continuous pain, consider phrases like "constant pain" or "persistent ache".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of pain" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes recurring or intermittent episodes of pain, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The examples on Ludwig illustrate its use in medical and personal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of pain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe recurring or intermittent episodes of pain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable. It is most frequently found in news, science, and academic contexts. When writing, it’s important to use this phrase to accurately describe conditions characterized by recurring pain, and to avoid overusing it in situations involving a single, continuous pain episode. Consider using alternatives such as "episodes of pain" or "flare-ups of pain" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episodes of pain

Replaces "bouts" with "episodes", emphasizing the occurrence of distinct periods of pain.

painful episodes

Reorders the phrase and uses "episodes" instead of "bouts".

flare-ups of pain

Substitutes "bouts" with "flare-ups", highlighting a sudden increase in pain intensity.

spells of pain

Substitutes "bouts" with "spells", conveying a temporary period of pain.

attacks of pain

Uses "attacks" instead of "bouts", suggesting a more sudden and intense onset of pain.

fits of pain

Replaces "bouts" with "fits", indicating a sudden and uncontrollable onset of pain.

recurring pain

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the pain, omitting the word "bouts".

intermittent pain

Highlights the on-and-off nature of the pain, without specifying individual occurrences.

periods of suffering

Broadens the scope from just pain to general suffering, encompassing related symptoms.

waves of pain

Employs "waves" to convey the fluctuating intensity of the pain.

FAQs

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

You can use "bouts of pain" to describe recurring or intermittent pain episodes. For example: "She experienced frequent "bouts of pain" due to her arthritis".

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

Alternatives include "episodes of pain", "flare-ups of pain", or "attacks of pain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bouts of pain"?

Yes, "bouts of pain" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe recurring episodes of pain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable.

What does "bouts of pain" mean?

"Bouts of pain" refers to periods or episodes of pain that come and go, often associated with a chronic condition or recurring ailment.