hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe physical pain or emotional distress caused by an action or event. Example: "After the fall, I felt a sharp hurt in my ankle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That must have hurt.

The Guardian - Opinion

The player was thankfully not seriously hurt".

The Guardian - Sport

Does it hurt?

The Guardian - Film

In their minds they did the right thing," the relative replied, adding that the subsequent backlash hurt the officers "more than anything".

The Guardian

That defeat to Kumkhum last year hurt badly, Kvitova said, but it may also have helped her dig deeper to find the form that won her another Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

"Going green and protecting the environment did not hurt the economy, it's a bunch of nonsense".

The Guardian - Film

Among the police officers hurt was a woman injured on the hand and another female officer hurt as loyalists smashed up cars belonging to councillors, including that of a Democratic Unionist, and attacked security staff.

The Guardian

The GOP can't be hurt by losing money they never had.

The Guardian - Opinion

The way he deals with the inevitable rumours about his sexuality ("Who does it hurt if someone thinks I'm gay"?) is wonderfully beguiling, and that's before we've even started on his humanitarian work in Darfur and Haiti, not to mention his friendship with President Obama, recently in the news following Clooney's bust-up with Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn.

The Guardian - Opinion

O'Connor says other issues have rankled with the voters of Indi: Mirabella's former relationship with an older man and questions about his will, and the "very hurt" Indigenous leaders upset with her for boycotting Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations.

The Guardian

The all-rounder hurt his knee playing for Chennai Super Kings and was unable to play in the Tests and one-day matches against West Indies.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hurt" to describe emotional pain, consider the intensity of the feeling. Use stronger words like "devastated" or "anguished" for more severe emotions.

Common error

While "hurt" can refer to both physical and emotional pain, "injured" typically refers only to physical harm. Use "hurt" when referring to feelings, and reserve "injured" for physical wounds.

Linguistic Context

The word "hurt" functions as a verb, noun, and adjective. As a verb, it describes causing or experiencing pain. As a noun, it refers to the pain or injury itself. As an adjective, it describes someone who is injured or in pain. As Ludwig AI suggests, this word is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Sport

9%

Film

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hurt" is a versatile term used to describe physical or emotional pain, injury, or damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, "hurt" is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Its usage spans from describing physical sensations (e.g., "Does your leg still "hurt"?") to emotional distress (e.g., "That defeat "hurt" badly"). Related phrases include "cause pain", "inflict injury", and "feel pain". While "hurt" is generally neutral in tone, choosing stronger synonyms like "devastated" or "anguished" can convey more intense emotions. Remember to reserve "injured" for physical harm and use "hurt" for both physical and emotional experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be injured

Passive voice emphasizing the state of being physically hurt.

feel pain

Highlights the subjective experience of pain.

be harmed

A broader term indicating any kind of damage or injury, physical or emotional.

cause pain

Focuses on the action of inflicting pain rather than the state of being hurt.

be wounded

Implies a more severe physical injury.

inflict injury

Emphasizes the physical damage caused.

experience distress

Focuses on the emotional aspect of being hurt.

suffer damage

Refers to the experience of undergoing harm or loss.

feel anguish

Focuses on the deep emotional pain experienced.

be affected

A general term indicating an impact, which could be negative.

FAQs

How can I use "hurt" in a sentence?

You can use "hurt" to describe physical pain, as in "My leg still "hurts"". It can also describe emotional pain, such as "His words "hurt" me deeply".

What's a stronger word than "hurt" to describe emotional pain?

For more intense emotional pain, consider using words like "devastated", "anguished", or "traumatized". These words convey a deeper level of emotional distress than "hurt".

Is it correct to say "I am hurt"?

Yes, it is correct. "I am "hurt"" can mean you are physically injured or emotionally wounded. The context will usually make the meaning clear.

What's the difference between "hurt" and "harm"?

"Hurt" often implies a more immediate or direct experience of pain or damage, while "harm" suggests a more general state of being damaged or at risk. For example, "The fall "hurt" my knee", versus "Smoking can "harm" your health".