given much grief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given much grief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone has caused a significant amount of distress or trouble to another person. Example: "She has given much grief to her parents with her rebellious behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In particular, the Indian blocks have given much grief to them.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the least convincing apology imaginable, Packer explained "there's a lot of worse things done", then wondered why he was given so much grief when marathon runners have been known to "go number twos" in the middle of races.

The Guardian - Sport

The NRL should be applauded for sticking by the Sharks and regardless of what option the players take, there won't be too many fans of the game who will give them much grief.

The Guardian - Sport

"The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow".

Vice

Most give much less.

Forbes

It may just be the longest relationship of your life, and the one that gives you as much grief as pleasure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gates once chartered a plane because he had to get somewhere in a hurry, but Ballmer gave him so much grief that Gates is still explaining why he did it.

The New Yorker

(Nobody, it seems, stopped to point out that the British corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas, used as a symbol of Remembrance Day, is a different flower than the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, that gave China so much grief).* Cameron resisted, and his poppy went on stage unmolested.

The New Yorker

After the skunk situation, a good friend asked why I would want to remain in a house that gave me so much grief.

Huffington Post

Ask him/her why s/he's giving you so much grief.

WikiHow

Prince Nikolaos, it is said, is now renting the apartment of the daughter of Andreas Papandreou, the late socialist leader who gave his father so much grief.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given much grief", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is causing the distress and who is experiencing it. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "given much grief" when the source of the distress is unclear or when it could be interpreted as self-inflicted. This phrase is most effective when an external force or person is the clear cause of the suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given much grief" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of causing significant distress or trouble to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given much grief" effectively communicates that someone or something has caused significant distress or trouble. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is grammatically sound and mostly appears in News & Media contexts, making it suitable for neutral and professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure the source and recipient of the grief are clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "caused a lot of trouble" or "created significant distress" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused a lot of trouble

Focuses on the trouble caused rather than the emotional distress.

created significant distress

Emphasizes the emotional distress caused by someone or something.

inflicted considerable pain

Highlights the pain and suffering experienced.

brought great sorrow

Emphasizes the sadness and sorrow resulting from the action.

caused a great deal of anguish

Focuses on the intense mental or physical suffering.

been a major source of worry

Highlights the anxiety and concern caused.

made life very difficult

Focuses on the hardships created.

stirred up a hornet's nest

Suggests causing a situation full of trouble and angry reactions.

caused endless problems

Highlights the continuous nature of the troubles caused.

been a thorn in someone's side

Suggests a persistent source of annoyance or trouble.

FAQs

What does "given much grief" mean?

The phrase "given much grief" means to have caused someone considerable sorrow, trouble, or annoyance.

How can I use "given much grief" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that someone or something has caused significant distress, for example: "Her constant complaints have "caused a lot of trouble" to the team."

What are some alternatives to "given much grief"?

Alternatives include phrases like "caused significant distress", "inflicted considerable pain", or "brought great sorrow", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "given much grief" or "caused much grief"?

Both "given much grief" and "caused much grief" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context of the sentence. "Caused" might be more direct in some situations.