it must hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must hurt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express sympathy to someone, either a friend or a stranger, when you acknowledge the difficulty or pain they are going through. For example: "I'm so sorry about the loss of your father; it must hurt so much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Given elephants' reliance on smell and taste, he said, the theory was "it must hurt them 10 times more".

The New York Times - Science

During the game of blind-man's buff, when the Prince's tutor Gallison grabs a lady-in-waiting with inadvertent lewdness, Ratmansky gives precise notes about how the woman needs to deliver her admonitory slap – "it must hurt a little bit, but do it with love".

The Guardian

"It must hurt some".

The New Yorker

It must hurt.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet it must hurt, I say, that his name is synonymous with presidential ineptitude.

The New York Times

But her book is sometimes like a smile so forced it must hurt.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

My voice will say whatever it must, hurting, fearing, doubting, moaning, grasping for verbal connections that might possibly, miraculously, explode into meaning.

The New Yorker

When celebrities agree to compete on The Jump they are essentially saying: my career is at a point where I must hurt myself for money.

Vice

The 35-year-old French actor is in London to promote her role as gaunt, statuesque, demonically possessed, cheeks-sucked-in-so-much-it-must-hurt-after-a-hard-day's-shooting clairvoyant Vanessa Ives in Sky series Penny Dreadful.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Those of us must hurt by climate change must show how its impact is varied but significant.

HuffPost

It has been conditioned in so many explicit and implicit ways -- if I hurt, then you must hurt too.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must hurt", ensure the context is clear. Specify what 'it' refers to, either directly or through shared understanding, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the source of someone's pain. Asking clarifying questions shows sensitivity, rather than presuming to know why "it must hurt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must hurt" functions as an empathetic expression, acknowledging the emotional or physical pain someone is experiencing. It's a modal phrase used to convey understanding and sympathy. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must hurt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express empathy or acknowledge someone's pain. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, science and formal business settings. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ it, it's crucial to be mindful of the specific context and avoid presuming the cause of pain. Alternatives such as "that must be painful" or "that must be tough" can also be used to convey similar sentiments with slight variations in emotional tone. Remember to clarify the reference of 'it' to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that must be painful

Focuses directly on the pain aspect, similar to the original phrase but using 'painful' explicitly.

that must be tough

Conveys empathy by acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, shifting from physical to emotional hardship.

i can only imagine how much that hurts

Expresses empathy by acknowledging the potential magnitude of the pain, adding a personal touch.

i bet that smarts

An informal and direct way of acknowledging pain or discomfort.

that can't be easy

Highlights the difficulty of a situation, focusing on the lack of ease.

that must sting

Implies a sharp emotional or psychological pain, similar to a physical sting.

i imagine that's hard

Expresses empathy by acknowledging the challenging nature of a situation.

that sounds excruciating

Emphasizes the intensity of the pain or suffering involved, suggesting extreme discomfort.

that must be devastating

Highlights the emotionally destructive impact of a situation, emphasizing the severe distress.

i'm sure that's not fun

An understatement that acknowledges the unpleasantness of a situation, conveying a sense of empathy.

FAQs

How can I use "it must hurt" in a sentence?

You can use "it must hurt" to express sympathy or acknowledge someone's pain. For example, "Losing the competition /s/must+hurt, after working so hard".

What can I say instead of "it must hurt"?

You can use alternatives like "that must be painful", "that must be tough", or "/s/i+can+only+imagine+how+much+that+hurts depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to say "it must hurt" to someone I don't know well?

It depends on the situation and your relationship with the person. While generally empathetic, ensure it doesn't come across as presumptuous. A more neutral statement might be preferable initially.

What's the difference between "it must hurt" and "that must sting"?

"It must hurt" generally refers to deeper emotional or physical pain, while "/s/that+must+sting" implies a sharper, often temporary, emotional or psychological pain.