hurting with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurting with" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is expressing shared pain or suffering, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I feel like I'm hurting with you during this difficult time."

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Surveys of economic sanctions always equate "hurting" with "working".

The Guardian - Opinion

"First of all, we're really hurting with younger readers.

The New York Times

But average Americans are hurting with no end to the pain in sight.

The New York Times

They're hurting, with more medallions available, unauthorized cabs being semi-legalized, and tourists who don't tip.

The New York Times

"But you've got the businesses in Alice Springs – they're hurting with the downturn.

The Guardian

The ground game is already hurting, with Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs coping with knee injuries.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Someone can get hurt with a stunt.

The New York Times

It certainly doesn't hurt with fundraising.

The Guardian - Opinion

That they hurt with the hurt of their fellow humans.

The Guardian - Books

Griffin could get hurt, with that running style.

The New York Times - Sports

It will help with some voters and hurt with others".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "suffering with" or "struggling alongside" for clearer and more impactful writing. While "hurting with" isn't incorrect, it can sometimes sound awkward or less direct.

Common error

Avoid using "hurting with" when you simply mean "affected by" or "concerned about". "Hurting with" implies a direct, shared experience of pain or hardship, not just awareness or sympathy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hurting with" functions as a verb phrase, where 'hurting' acts as a participle describing a state of shared distress or suffering. It typically connects an individual or group to another entity or situation experiencing hardship, implying a shared negative experience. Ludwig suggests that it's not standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hurting with" is used to express shared pain or hardship. While grammatically acceptable, it's not always the most common or elegant choice, with alternatives like "suffering with" often being preferred. According to Ludwig, "hurting with" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. The phrase sees most of its usage in News & Media sources. When considering using the phrase "hurting with", assess if a shared direct pain is the intended meaning, or whether you can use more suitable synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering with

Replaces "hurting" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the experience of pain or hardship.

in pain with

Directly indicates a shared physical or emotional pain.

feeling the pain of

Focuses on the emotional aspect of shared suffering, highlighting empathy.

struggling alongside

Emphasizes the joint effort to overcome difficulties, implying a shared burden.

experiencing hardship with

Replaces "hurting" with a broader term, encompassing various forms of adversity.

bearing the brunt with

Highlights the shared negative consequences or impact of a situation.

affected by

Focuses on the impact of a situation on multiple parties.

impacted alongside

Similar to 'affected by', but emphasizes the parallel nature of the impact.

going through it together

A more idiomatic expression that emphasizes solidarity and shared experience.

sympathizing with

Focuses on expressing compassion and understanding for someone else's suffering.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "hurting with" another person?

It means they are experiencing a similar pain, hardship, or negative consequence alongside that person. It suggests a shared burden or suffering.

What can I say instead of "hurting with"?

You can use alternatives like "suffering with", "struggling alongside", or "feeling the pain of" depending on the context.

Is "hurting with" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "hurting with" is less common and can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to opt for more direct synonyms like "suffering with" for clearer communication.

How is "hurting with" different from "affected by"?

"Hurting with" implies a direct, shared experience of pain or hardship. "Affected by", on the other hand, simply means impacted or influenced, without necessarily sharing the same suffering.