by a stab of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a stab of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden feeling of pain or emotion, often metaphorically, such as in reference to heartbreak or regret. Example: "She felt a stab of jealousy when she saw her ex with someone new."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Jean-Pierre was struck by a stab of jealousy.

The Guardian - Books

The moment when the alarm goes off in the morning and I have to abandon the warmth and safety of a motel room for the uncertainty and risk of a day on the road is no longer accompanied by a stab of anxiety.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You can partially disable these systems by a simple stab of the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) button.

Forbes

All humor quickly evaporated as I felt the same pressure as with the cotton swab, followed by a sharp stab of pain.

Vice

By contrast, if we take our statement to assert that a certain event occurred (namely, a stabbing of Caesar by Brutus) and that it had a certain property (namely, of being done with a knife), then the entailment is straightforward [Davidson 1967a].

SEP

Life-threatening blood loss may be caused by a stab injury affecting any region of the great vessels.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

It was one of several stellar plays by the Yankees, who also got a 5-3 double play by Alex Rodriguez and a heady stab of a liner by Derek Jeter.

The New York Times

Although the work earned the nickname "Wagner Symphony" for its brief allusions to themes from Wagner's operas, the stately Adagio's first twenty seconds could easily have been by Handel — until a quiet stab of harmonic pain trips off a chain of sequences, dipping downward into the murk of painful memory.

The New Yorker

Police talk to passers-by after the stabbing of an Anna's Taqueria employee.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The debate has flared up after leading members of the AfD marched alongside the far-right protest group Pegida at a demonstration in the eastern town of Chemnitz on Saturday, following a series of gatherings prompted by the stabbing of a local man, allegedly by two immigrants.

The Guardian

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said on Twitter: "Shocked by the stabbing of a police officer and a PCSO in Ealing.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a stab of" to vividly describe a sudden, sharp emotion or physical sensation, creating a stronger impact on the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "by a stab of" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "pang", "jolt", or "surge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a stab of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, typically expressing how an emotion or feeling is experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its usage, especially in describing sudden and intense feelings, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a stab of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the sudden and intense onset of a feeling or sensation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, it is relatively rare. It frequently appears in news and media, serving to vividly convey emotional experiences. For writers seeking variety, alternatives like "with a pang of" or "with a jolt of" offer similar expressive power. It is important to avoid overuse to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a pang of

Replaces "stab" with "pang", implying a sudden feeling of sorrow or regret.

with a jolt of

Uses "jolt" instead of "stab", suggesting a sudden shock or surprise.

with a surge of

Employs "surge" to indicate a sudden rush of emotion or feeling.

with a wave of

Substitutes "stab" with "wave", conveying a feeling that washes over someone.

with a flicker of

Replaces "stab" with "flicker", suggesting a brief, fleeting feeling.

with a touch of

Uses "touch" to imply a slight or mild feeling.

with a hint of

Similar to "touch", but emphasizes a subtle indication of a feeling.

experiencing a twinge of

Rephrases the entire structure, using "twinge" to describe a sudden, sharp pain or feeling.

feeling a prick of

Uses "prick" to suggest a sharp, but possibly minor, feeling.

overcome by a burst of

Describes being overwhelmed by a sudden and intense feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "by a stab of" in a sentence?

You can use "by a stab of" to describe a sudden, sharp feeling, for example, "Jean-Pierre was struck "by a stab of jealousy" when he learned about Dr. Hertz".

What are some alternatives to "by a stab of"?

Alternatives include "with a pang of", "with a jolt of", or "with a surge of", depending on the specific emotion or sensation you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "by a stab of"?

Yes, "by a stab of" is grammatically correct. It's a prepositional phrase used to modify a verb or noun, indicating a sudden and sharp feeling.

In what contexts is "by a stab of" most appropriate?

The phrase "by a stab of" is most appropriate in literary or descriptive contexts where you want to emphasize the suddenness and intensity of an emotion or sensation. It's commonly found in "news and media" and storytelling.