excessive suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing pain, distress, or hardship that is beyond what is considered normal or acceptable. Example: "The documentary highlighted the excessive suffering experienced by the victims of the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We have returned because of the excessive suffering caused by displacement," says Bnongoti.

The Guardian

Moderate intensity physical activity is not painful and does not include excessive suffering to meet your goals.

Independent

This, they say, risks causing excessive suffering that would be a breach of the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which bans "cruel and unusual" punishments.

The Guardian

I begin with a factual question: whether Bucklew has established that, because of his rare medical condition, the State's current method of execution risks subjecting him to excessive suffering.

Cornell University

The question is not, as Justice Thomas maintains, whether a punishment is deliberately inflicted to cause unnecessary pain, but rather whether we would today consider the punishment to cause excessive suffering.

Cornell University

At the same time, altered emotional and cognitive processing is considered to be an important contributor to the excessive suffering that is a hallmark of chronic pain conditions [115].

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

On the 9th of Feb, agreeably to a custom that has prevailed in China for thousands of years, the bandages were applied "à la mode" to her feet, occasioning her excessive sufferings, which after the lapse of a fortnight became unsupportable, and the parents were reluctantly compelled to remove the bandages, when, as the father represented, the toes were found discolored.

Yale University

Some materials, such as aluminum and magnesium alloys, are not recommended for applying direct dry-cutting, since the cutting tool is prone to suffering excessive built-up edge (BUE).

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

The aim of the Luftwaffe was to wear down the Fighter Command without suffering excessive losses in the process, and in this it had failed.

Wikipedia

The excessive, self-imposed suffering and predictable moaning has even acquired a name, courtesy of Debora Spar, author of Wonder Women: Sex, Power, and the Quest for Perfection and president of Barnard College: competitive collapsing.

Huffington Post

Behavioral problems caused by issues with recovery, suffering excessive pain and having difficulty adjusting to their new life.. Memory loss in the form of amnesia, or loss of memory of some events.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing suffering, ensure that the term "excessive suffering" is appropriate for the context. Consider whether a more specific descriptor, such as "extreme pain" or "unnecessary hardship", might be more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "excessive suffering" in overly dramatic or sentimental contexts where simpler, more direct language would be more effective. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive suffering" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often describes the severity or degree of pain or hardship experienced by individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessive suffering" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes pain, distress, or hardship beyond what is considered normal or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to emphasize the severity of a situation. While alternatives like "extreme pain" or "unnecessary hardship" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "excessive suffering", be mindful of the emotional tone and ensure it aligns with the context to maximize its impact. The phrase is used in the U.S. Constitution, which bans cruel and unusual punishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme pain

Focuses specifically on the intensity of physical or emotional pain.

intense agony

Highlights the severity and torment associated with suffering.

unnecessary hardship

Emphasizes the avoidability or lack of justification for the suffering.

undue distress

Focuses on the inappropriateness or excessiveness of the emotional suffering.

severe torment

Highlights the prolonged and agonizing nature of the suffering.

gratuitous pain

Points to suffering that is uncalled for or without purpose.

needless anguish

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the emotional suffering.

exorbitant pain

Highlights the degree to which the pain goes beyond expected levels.

unwarranted affliction

Focuses on the lack of justification or reason for the suffering.

unbearable agony

Emphasizes the level of suffering as exceeding one's ability to endure it.

FAQs

How can I use "excessive suffering" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive suffering" to describe situations where the level of pain or hardship goes beyond what is considered normal or acceptable. For example: "The new regulations aim to prevent "unnecessary hardship" and "excessive suffering" among refugees."

What phrases can I use instead of "excessive suffering"?

Alternatives include "extreme pain", "intense agony", or "unnecessary hardship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "excessive suffering"? Is "suffering" enough?

While "suffering" alone can be sufficient, "excessive suffering" emphasizes that the level of suffering is beyond what is typical or justifiable. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What are the legal implications of "excessive suffering"?

In legal contexts, "excessive suffering" often relates to constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, where the level of pain inflicted is deemed disproportionate to the crime or situation.