grievous hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grievous hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or severe injury, either physical or emotional. Example: "The accident caused him grievous hurt, leaving him with both physical injuries and emotional trauma."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Indian laws did not include the disfiguration of a woman in an acid attacks as a separate crime, but included the crime in the categories of hurt, grievous hurt, or attempt to murder.

The New York Times

Sentencing took place on 31 August: Kodani was given a 28-year prison term, and received two sentences; the first for 10 years under Indian Penal Code Section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and the second for 18 years under Section 302 (murder) and others.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thus, Indian law divides bodily harms into "hurts" and "grievous hurts".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grievous personal hurt and injury cannot be totally assuaged or compensated.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Such misconduct does grievous harm to investors".

The New York Times

Up against the second-row pairing of the tournament, Lood de Jager and the ferocious Eben Etzebeth, the Bay of Plenty second-rower hurt South Africa both at the line-out and in the loose, tackling his considerable weight in all corners of the field and carrying the ball with intent to cause grievous harm to the Springbok spirit.

Independent

It's the lover who suffers the most grievous harm.

The New York Times

Today is the fourth day since her grievous injury.

BBC

Unless the purpose was simply nihilistic, to exact grievous harm.

Huffington Post

"We are talking about stabbing, strangulation, grievous bodily harm, tragedy, death – human hurt of such intensity it's impossible to imagine".

The Guardian

Grievous bodily harm is "really serious" harm.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grievous hurt" when emphasizing the severity and seriousness of the injury or harm, especially in legal or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "grievous hurt" in everyday conversation or informal writing; simpler terms like "serious injury" or "severe harm" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Grievous hurt functions primarily as a noun phrase. As indicated by Ludwig, it describes a severe form of injury or harm, often in a legal or formal setting. It identifies the type and extent of damage inflicted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grievous hurt" is a relatively formal term used to describe a serious injury or harm. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct, but less common in everyday language. Primarily found in legal, medical, and formal contexts, the phrase serves to emphasize the severity of the damage. For more informal situations, consider using alternatives like "serious injury" or "severe harm". While authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC do employ the term, its infrequent usage suggests it's best reserved for situations requiring a high degree of precision and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Serious injury

Replaces "grievous" with a more common synonym for "serious", simplifying the phrase.

Severe harm

Substitutes "hurt" with "harm", offering a slightly broader term for damage.

Grave injury

Employs "grave" as a synonym for "grievous", maintaining a similar level of formality.

Significant damage

Focuses on the resulting damage rather than the act of hurting.

Considerable harm

Uses "considerable" to emphasize the extent of the harm.

Major injury

Replaces "grievous" with "major", suggesting a substantial but perhaps less formal injury.

Substantial harm

Emphasizes the significant amount of harm caused.

Serious bodily harm

Adds "bodily" to clarify the physical nature of the harm.

Severe bodily injury

Combines "severe" with "bodily injury" to denote a significant physical impact.

Critical injury

Highlights the potential life-threatening nature of the injury.

FAQs

What does the term "grievous hurt" mean?

The term "grievous hurt" refers to a serious or severe injury, either physical or emotional, often implying significant harm or damage.

How is "grievous hurt" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "grievous hurt" typically defines a level of physical harm that can lead to specific charges or penalties, often involving intent or recklessness.

What are some alternatives to saying "grievous hurt"?

You can use alternatives like "serious injury", "severe harm", or "grave injury" depending on the context.

Is "grievous bodily harm" the same as "grievous hurt"?

"Grievous bodily harm" is a more specific term that refers explicitly to physical harm, while "grievous hurt" can encompass both physical and emotional or psychological harm.