evident anguish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evident anguish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clear or obvious display of suffering or distress in a person or situation. Example: "Her face was a mask of evident anguish as she received the heartbreaking news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He was tired, and, being a good man and a Christian in evident anguish, he resigned.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that the truth will ever be established, but Kelly himself raises it in this interview and talks about it at length, and with evident anguish.

The Guardian

He is stoic and a bit fatalistic, accepting the likelihood of his death without evident anguish, and writing a consoling letter to his parents to be delivered instead of the official military notice.

The New York Times

Egypt today is a fragmented and embittered society, says Mr Osman, and desperately in need of an inspiring national project.Despite his evident anguish at the current state of affairs, Mr Osman's prognosis for the imminent post-Mubarak era is not entirely bleak.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His anguish became evident to those who bumped into him in recent weeks.

The New York Times

McKay's anguish was evident when his effort was ended by Dilshan's acrobatic catch, which set Sri Lanka's players cavorting across the Oval's playing surface.

The New York Times - Sports

Marussia's anguish became evident on Thursday evening as their president and sporting director, Graeme Lowdon, spoke for the first time.

The Guardian - Sport

As is evident from the outpouring of anguish, horror, condemnation, vigils and prayers from many many Muslims in all walks of life, Omer Mateen, does not represent most of American Muslims who abhor such hate and such violence.

Huffington Post

Mental pain or anguish is self evident in medical outlier care.

BMC Medical Ethics

His suffering was evident, but so, too, the family's anguish.

The New York Times

That diffidence is evident on screen, in Mia's core of vulnerability, the lonely anguish she camouflages with violence and filthy language.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evident anguish" to describe situations where someone's suffering is not only present but also clearly visible or perceivable to others. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative contexts to convey a character's internal state.

Common error

Avoid using "evident anguish" in situations that are already inherently dramatic or over-the-top. Using the phrase in such contexts can make the writing seem melodramatic or insincere. Reserve it for moments where the suffering needs to be underscored subtly yet clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evident anguish" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to illustrate the state of a subject. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correctly used to describe a visible state of suffering.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "evident anguish" effectively describes a clearly visible state of suffering, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. To enhance writing, use it to vividly portray a character's emotional state or a situation's distress, but avoid overuse in overly dramatic scenarios. Alternatives like "obvious distress" or "clear suffering" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious distress

Replaces "anguish" with a more general term for suffering and "evident" with "obvious", implying the distress is easily noticeable.

clear suffering

Similar to "obvious distress", but focuses specifically on the suffering aspect of the anguish.

plainly visible pain

Emphasizes the visibility and clarity of the pain experienced.

unmistakable agony

Uses "agony" for a more intense form of suffering and "unmistakable" to highlight the certainty of its presence.

palpable torment

"Palpable" suggests the torment is so strong it can almost be felt by others.

conspicuous grief

Focuses on the grief aspect of anguish, highlighting its visibility.

demonstrable distress

A more formal alternative emphasizing the provable nature of the distress.

marked sorrow

Highlights the sorrowful aspect of the anguish and indicates it is noticeable.

visible torment

Uses "torment" to express the intense suffering and emphasizes its visual manifestation.

apparent suffering

Highlights that suffering is clearly perceived or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "evident anguish" in a sentence?

You can use "evident anguish" to describe someone's clear suffering or distress, as in "His face showed "evident anguish" after hearing the news".

What are some alternatives to "evident anguish"?

Alternatives include "obvious distress", "clear suffering", or "plainly visible pain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "evident anguish" formal or informal?

"Evident anguish" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news reports, literary writing, and descriptive contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.

How does "evident anguish" differ from "intense suffering"?

"Evident anguish" emphasizes the visibility or clear manifestation of the suffering, whereas "intense suffering" focuses solely on the degree or severity of the suffering, regardless of whether it's outwardly displayed.