hurt about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurt about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers. Example: "I was hurt about the way he spoke to me."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He ruined my life!" But in relating Caesar's rise, downfall and eventual redemption, Brown rarely uses the details of his world to reimagine reality into something bolder or satiric, as Jenkins did in "Semi-Tough" (about football) or "You Gotta Play Hurt" (about sportswriting), in which reasonably familiar characters morphed into fictional, sometimes absurd creations with lives of their own.

The New York Times - Books

It's a safeguard, nothing to get hurt about.

The Guardian

And I'm telling you because I am personally hurt about the situation.

The Guardian - Sport

He adds: "I feel so hurt about what is happening [in Syria].

The Guardian

"She's really hurt about this one, so she may come out swinging," said Oracene Price, her mother and coach.

The New York Times - Sports

As a fifth grader, I think that the mother who says "what can it hurt?" about baby electronics is wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The turmoil is hurting just about everyone.

The New York Times

It's a shame the guy missed that; I'm sure he will be hurting about it".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. O'Mara says that the "main part that hurts about disposing" of pianos is that people "take them for granted".

The New York Times

Its sting, according to victims, hurts about as much as being shot and lasts for a good 24 hours.

The New York Times

It's also, through the set piece she makes of it, a way of creating beauty without soft-pedaling whatever hurts about the source material.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "hurt about" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "hurt by" or "upset about" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The phrase "hurt about" is often used incorrectly in place of "hurt by". Remember that "hurt" in this context usually takes "by" to indicate the cause of the emotional pain. For example, say "I was hurt by his words" instead of "I was hurt about his words".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hurt about" functions as a prepositional phrase, but is grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI points out that its use is not standard and suggests alternatives such as "hurt by" or "upset about".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hurt about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is not recommended for use in formal writing. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is better to use alternatives such as "hurt by" or "upset about" to clearly and accurately express emotional distress. These alternatives are widely accepted and understood in standard English. Given the lack of support in authoritative sources, avoiding "hurt about" will help ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upset about

Focuses on the emotional distress caused by something, similar to intending to express being "hurt about" something.

hurt by

Indicates that someone was emotionally wounded or affected negatively by something.

saddened by

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness or sorrow resulting from a specific event or situation.

disappointed by

Conveys a feeling of letdown or dissatisfaction due to unmet expectations.

distressed by

Implies a state of worry, anxiety, or suffering caused by something.

grieved over

Indicates deep sorrow or mourning, typically due to a loss or significant disappointment.

wounded by

Highlights the emotional pain inflicted by someone's actions or words.

affected by

Suggests that someone has been influenced or impacted emotionally by something.

bothered by

Indicates that something is causing annoyance or concern.

concerned about

Implies a sense of worry or unease regarding a particular situation or person.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "hurt about"?

No, the phrase "hurt about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "hurt by" or "upset about".

What's the difference between "hurt by" and "hurt about"?

While "hurt by" is grammatically correct and indicates the cause of emotional pain, "hurt about" is not standard English. It's better to say "I was hurt by what he said" than "I was hurt about what he said".

Which phrase is more commonly used, "hurt by" or "hurt about"?

"Hurt by" is far more commonly used and accepted in standard English than "hurt about", which is often considered ungrammatical.

What can I say instead of "hurt about"?

Instead of "hurt about", you can use phrases such as "upset about", "hurt by", or "saddened by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.