great pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of discomfort or suffering, whether physical or emotional. Example: "After the accident, she experienced great pain in her leg, making it difficult to walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My great pain".

The New York Times

Those who caused us such great pain.

The New York Times

A country in great pain and mourning.

The New Yorker

THE end came slowly, after great pain.

The Economist

It caused great pain to the people".

The New Yorker

His heart was in great pain.

The New Yorker

Great pain can inspire great art.

The Guardian - Music

An ill formed formality only fossilizes great pain.

The New Yorker

Emily Dickinson declared: 'After great pain, a formal feeling comes'.

Stanford University

These events still cause great pain to the Sikh community.

The Guardian

But business has been transformed, often with great pain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical or emotional suffering, use "great pain" to emphasize the intensity and severity of the experience.

Common error

Avoid using "great pain" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler expressions like "a lot of pain" or "much pain" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great pain" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe the intensity of suffering. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it effectively conveys a high degree of discomfort or anguish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great pain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote significant physical or emotional suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings, as overusing it in informal conversations may sound unnatural. When writing about suffering, remember "great pain" is a potent descriptor, but consider alternatives like "intense suffering" or "severe discomfort" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible suffering

A more general term emphasizing the negativity of the experience.

intense suffering

Emphasizes the severity and duration of the suffering experienced.

overwhelming distress

Highlights the feeling of being unable to cope with the level of suffering.

extreme agony

Highlights the peak of suffering, both physically and emotionally.

immense torment

Emphasizes the feeling of being tortured or deeply troubled.

acute distress

Describes a state of immediate and intense suffering or worry.

severe discomfort

Focuses on the physical or emotional unease experienced.

considerable anguish

Implies a deep and prolonged emotional suffering.

deep affliction

Suggests a state of suffering or distress caused by a specific event or condition.

profound sorrow

Specifically refers to deep emotional suffering or grief.

FAQs

How can I use "great pain" in a sentence?

You can use "great pain" to describe intense physical or emotional suffering, such as, "She experienced "great pain" after the accident" or "The loss of her loved one caused her "great pain".

What are some alternatives to saying "great pain"?

Alternatives to "great pain" include "intense suffering", "severe discomfort", or "extreme agony", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "great pain" or "a lot of pain"?

"Great pain" is generally more formal and emphasizes the intensity of the suffering. "A lot of pain" is more common in informal contexts. The choice depends on the register of your writing or speech.

What's the difference between "great pain" and "deep sorrow"?

"Great pain" can refer to both physical and emotional suffering, while "deep sorrow" specifically refers to emotional suffering, often associated with loss or grief.