it hurts me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase, 'it hurts me', is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express physical pain, emotional pain, or a combination of the two. For example: "Seeing my best friend in so much physical and emotional pain hurts me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It hurts me".

The New York Times

It hurts me more.

The New Yorker

"It hurts me massively.

The Guardian - Sport

"It hurts me beyond disbelief.

The New York Times - Sports

But yes, it hurts me".

Independent

"It hurts me," he said.

The New York Times

"It hurts me," Servis said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It hurts me," she says.

The Guardian

"Of course it hurts me.

The New York Times

"It hurts me here," he said.

Independent

"It hurts me to see her limp.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "it hurts me" to reveal a character's vulnerability and emotional state, making the scene more compelling for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it hurts me" to exaggerate minor inconveniences. This can dilute the phrase's impact when you need to express genuine pain or distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it hurts me" functions as an expression of personal suffering or distress, either physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The examples show its usage across various contexts to convey pain or sadness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it hurts me" is a common and grammatically correct way to express personal suffering, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. While alternatives like "it causes me pain" or "it pains me" exist, "it hurts me" effectively conveys a sense of vulnerability and elicits empathy. Using it judiciously ensures its impact is not diminished in trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it causes me pain

Directly states the experience of pain, more literal.

it pains me

Similar to 'hurts', but can sound slightly more formal.

it distresses me

Focuses on emotional upset and mental suffering.

it causes me suffering

Emphasizes the prolonged experience of pain or hardship.

it saddens me

Specifically refers to the feeling of sadness.

it grieves me

Indicates sorrow and deep sadness, usually due to a loss.

it wounds me

Implies a deep emotional injury or offense.

it's upsetting to me

A more general way to express that something is causing you distress.

it agonizes me

Expresses intense mental or physical suffering.

it torments me

Suggests persistent and severe suffering, often mental.

FAQs

What does the phrase "it hurts me" mean?

The phrase "it hurts me" expresses that something is causing you emotional or physical pain. The intensity of the feeling depends on the context in which it's used.

What are some alternatives to saying "it hurts me"?

You can use alternatives like "it causes me pain", "it pains me", or "it saddens me" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "it hurts me" in a sentence?

You can use "it hurts me" to express emotional pain, as in "It hurts me to see you struggling". Or, you can use it to express physical pain, although this is less common.

Is "it hurts me" formal or informal?

"It hurts me" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific context determines the overall tone.