he agonizes over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he agonizes over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is experiencing deep emotional distress or worry about a particular issue or decision. Example: "He agonizes over the choice of whether to accept the job offer or stay in his current position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He agonizes over it.

The New York Times - Books

But he agonizes over what to say.

The New York Times

The boss says he agonizes over them: "So many costs!

The New Yorker

He agonizes over writing about his friends: Will that make them disappear?

The New York Times - Books

In the first episode, describing the basic circumstances of his father's death, he agonizes over and dissects three simple words: "fell," "jumped," "accident".

The New Yorker

He agonizes over his art, worrying that he's finished, that his contributions are trivial, that he isn't living up to some artistic ideal.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He agonized over his next move.

The New Yorker

Mr. Sambucci said he agonized over the decision to sell.

The New York Times

He agonized over the offer but turned it down, because of his loyalty to the Rothermeres.

The New Yorker

"He agonized over the layouts, and the interior finishes are unlike anything I've ever seen.

The New York Times

He agonized over whether he was meant for life as a priest.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he agonizes over" to convey a strong sense of internal struggle and emotional distress related to a specific decision, problem, or situation. It indicates a level of worry that goes beyond simple concern.

Common error

Avoid using "he agonizes over" too frequently in your writing, as it can make the character appear overly dramatic or indecisive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he worries about" or "he struggles with" to provide nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he agonizes over" functions as a verb phrase, where "agonizes" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "agonize", and "over" is a preposition. It describes the action of experiencing intense mental or emotional suffering, struggle, or worry about something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he agonizes over" effectively conveys a profound sense of worry and internal struggle. Grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it particularly emphasizes the depth of emotional distress associated with a decision or situation. While synonyms exist, this phrase specifically denotes a heightened level of anxiety, frequently found in news and media. To maintain writing diversity, alternatives like "he worries excessively about" or "he struggles with" can be used. Keep in mind it's more suited to written content than spoken language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he worries excessively about

Focuses on the excessive nature of the worrying, emphasizing the intensity of the concern.

he is deeply concerned about

Highlights the profound level of concern someone feels regarding a particular matter.

he frets about

Emphasizes a state of visible anxiety and unease about something.

he wrestles with

Implies a difficult internal struggle or decision-making process.

he grapples with

Indicates a struggle to understand or deal with a challenging issue.

he obsesses over

Suggests a preoccupation with something to an unhealthy degree.

he is tormented by

Highlights the mental suffering caused by a particular thought or issue.

he struggles with

Indicates a general difficulty in dealing with something, often an internal conflict.

he ponders anxiously about

Combines careful consideration with a sense of nervousness or apprehension.

he broods over

Suggests a prolonged period of deep and often unhappy thought.

FAQs

What does "he agonizes over" mean?

The phrase "he agonizes over" means that someone is experiencing deep emotional distress or worry about a particular issue or decision. It suggests a prolonged period of mental struggle.

What can I say instead of "he agonizes over"?

You can use alternatives like "he worries excessively about", "he is deeply concerned about", or "he frets about" depending on the context.

Is "he agonizes over" formal or informal?

The phrase "he agonizes over" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in written than spoken language.

How to use "he agonizes over" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "He agonizes over the choice of whether to accept the job offer or stay in his current position." Another example: "He agonizes over the impact his decision will have on his family."