far less painful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far less painful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of pain between two situations, indicating that one is significantly less painful than the other. Example: "The recovery from this surgery is far less painful than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Root canal is a popular metaphor for excruciating pain, but the reality is far less painful than many people imagine.

Harvard University

She recognized that the pain of getting a "no" from a prospective employer was far less painful than the discomfort of staying in her current job indefinitely.

Forbes

The process proved far less painful than she had expected.

The New York Times

Even so, change now would be far less painful than a disaster later.

The Economist

All of which, Mr. Pokorny said, made the wound care seem far less painful.

The New York Times - Health

For Maier, a double Olympic and world champion, winning the downhill trophy was far less painful.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

In fact, there were solutions that were far less politically painful, and that had worked for years.

Huffington Post

In those cases, experienced transplant physicians and specialists recommended other, far less invasive and less painful treatments.

Forbes

For Americans who grew to love the island and its culture, leaving was far less traumatic, but still painful.

The New York Times

But building rapport and adding some levity went far in making it less painful for everyone.

Forbes

From the initial safety studies done so far, PrePex is clearly faster, less painful and more bloodless than any of its current rivals.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far less painful" to compare two experiences or situations, highlighting that one involves significantly less discomfort or difficulty than the other. For example, "Choosing the right software made the transition to remote work far less painful."

Common error

Avoid using "far less painful" when there's no explicit comparison being made. For instance, instead of saying "The treatment was far less painful", specify what it was less painful than (e.g., "The treatment was far less painful than I anticipated").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far less painful" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a quality (painfulness) to a smaller degree than something else. Ludwig AI examples show the phrase comparing different experiences or procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far less painful" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant reduction in pain or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is often used in comparative contexts, highlighting the contrast between two experiences or situations. It's suitable for neutral to professional registers and frequently appears in news and media sources. When writing, be sure to explicitly state or imply what is "far less painful" than to avoid ambiguity. Using alternatives such as "significantly less painful" or "much less painful" can provide variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less painful

Emphasizes a significant reduction in pain or discomfort.

significantly less painful

Highlights the notable difference in the level of pain experienced.

markedly less agonizing

Underscores a distinct decrease in intense suffering.

vastly less unpleasant

Highlights the large difference of unpleasantness

much less discomforting

Focuses on the reduction of general unease or inconvenience.

substantially less distressing

Emphasizes the notable decrease in emotional or mental upset.

relatively painless

Suggests the absence of significant pain in comparison to expectations.

noticeably easier to handle

Shifts the focus to the manageability of a situation, implying reduced difficulty.

appreciably less troublesome

Indicates a reduction in the degree of trouble or difficulty caused.

considerably more tolerable

Focuses on the improved ability to withstand or endure a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "far less painful" in a sentence?

Use "far less painful" to compare two experiences or situations, showing that one involves significantly less discomfort or difficulty than the other. For example, "Switching to a new project management system was "far less painful" than we anticipated".

What are some alternatives to saying "far less painful"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly less painful", "considerably less painful", or "relatively painless" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "much less painful" instead of "far less painful"?

Yes, "much less painful" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "far less painful". Both phrases indicate a significant reduction in pain or discomfort, with "far" simply adding a slightly greater emphasis.

What's the difference between "less painful" and "far less painful"?

"Less painful" indicates a reduction in pain, while "far less painful" emphasizes a more substantial or noticeable decrease in pain. The addition of "far" amplifies the degree of difference in discomfort.