causing pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe an action or situation that results in discomfort or suffering. Example: "The injury was severe, causing pain that lasted for several weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A white-swaddled mummy intent on causing pain".

The New York Times - Books

They can clog blood vessels, causing pain and damaging organs.

Stanford University

The ends of the bones can rub together, causing pain.

Harvard University

They can clog blood vessels, causing pain and organ damage.

Stanford University

I have acknowledged causing pain in my marriage.

The New York Times

Philpott then punched Mr Welam once, causing "pain and discomfort".

Independent

But who can honestly say he has gone through life without causing pain?

The Guardian - Books

2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap aimed at causing pain and triggering fear.

The Guardian

Torture is torture: causing pain and suffering to gain information and confessions.

The New York Times

"It is all about cruel evil psychopaths who love causing pain" – it isn't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without the enzyme, a particular lipid builds up, causing pain and organ problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causing pain", ensure the context clearly identifies the source or agent responsible for the pain. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "causing pain" with overly general subjects. Instead of saying "the situation is causing pain", specify which aspects of the situation are contributing to the discomfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing pain" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as part of a predicate to describe the effect of an action or condition. It describes the instigation or production of physical or emotional discomfort. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causing pain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of inflicting physical or emotional discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Academia. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is important to consider the specific audience and tone when using it in professional writing. Alternatives such as "inflicting pain" or "resulting in pain" can provide a more nuanced expression in certain situations. By understanding its function, purpose, and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "causing pain" to convey their intended meaning with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflicting pain

Replaces "causing" with "inflicting", emphasizing the act of deliberately imposing pain.

inducing pain

Uses "inducing" instead of "causing", highlighting the act of bringing about pain.

generating pain

Substitutes "causing" with "generating", suggesting that pain is being created or produced.

resulting in pain

Focuses on pain as the outcome or consequence of an action or situation.

leading to pain

Highlights the progression from an initial action or event to the eventual result of pain.

producing pain

Emphasizes the action of pain being a direct result of something else.

giving rise to pain

More formal alternative, suggesting that something is originating or initiating pain.

precipitating pain

Indicates that something is triggering a sudden onset of pain.

eliciting pain

Suggests that something is drawing out or evoking pain.

triggering pain

Highlights the act of initiating pain through a specific action or event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "causing pain" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "resulting in pain", "giving rise to pain", or "precipitating pain", depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "the injury is causing pain", you might say "the injury is "resulting in pain"".

What verbs are similar in meaning to "causing" when describing pain?

Verbs like inflicting, inducing, generating, producing, eliciting, and triggering can often be used in place of "causing" to describe the origin or initiation of pain. For example, "inflicting pain" emphasizes the deliberate imposition, while "triggering pain" highlights the initiating factor.

Is it always appropriate to use "causing pain" in professional writing?

While "causing pain" is generally acceptable, consider the specific tone and audience. In some professional contexts, a more nuanced phrase like "leading to discomfort" or "resulting in adverse effects" may be more suitable to convey the same meaning without sounding overly harsh or emotional.

How does "causing pain" differ from "sustaining pain"?

"Causing pain" refers to the initial action or event that leads to pain, while "sustaining pain" implies an ongoing or prolonged experience of pain. For instance, "the impact caused pain", while "the patient is "sustaining pain" from the injury".