it pained me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it pained me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express emotional or physical discomfort caused by a situation or event. Example: "When I heard the news of her departure, it pained me deeply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It pained me – still pains me – that my first wife had died before my ministerial appointment.

The Guardian - Books

Etkin: Skip It It pains me to say that it pained me to watch this.

Huffington Post

It pained me to take it out of its sealed display case for this photo (that's not a joke, I keep this mamma jamma framed on my bookshelf).

Vice

"It pained me," he said later, "but it was wonderful".

The Economist

It pained me even to put electricity in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It pained me to delete it, but it had to be done.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Nevertheless, I was relieved to discover that none of it truly pained me.

The New York Times - Magazine

It just pained me that these people couldn't have a shot at a better life".

The Guardian

"It always pained me to see players leave," said Don Garber, the M.L.S. commissioner, who understands Klinsmann's singular goal — a good showing in the World Cup — but notes his own job is to improve the league, preferably with familiar players.

The New York Times - Sports

It just pained me that these people couldn't have a shot at a better life". He decided to become an entrepreneur, make as much money as he could and then figure out how to use it for good, a story he tells on his personal website.

The Guardian

"I love Mary, and it really pained me to see what she had to go through".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it pained me" to express a sense of regret, sadness, or emotional discomfort about a specific event, decision, or situation. Ensure that the context clearly identifies the source of the pain.

Common error

Avoid using "it pained me" in situations that are trivial or lack genuine emotional weight. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Choose more suitable expressions for minor inconveniences or disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pained me" functions as an expressive statement, conveying personal feelings of sorrow, regret, or emotional discomfort. The Examples from Ludwig showcase its common usage in narratives and personal reflections, where individuals describe situations that caused them emotional pain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it pained me" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey feelings of sorrow, regret, or emotional distress. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s versatile enough for various contexts, though it's more impactful when used to describe genuinely significant events. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the emotional weight of the phrase to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Consider alternatives like "it saddened me" or "it grieved me" for different nuances. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase is well-recognized and readily understood in both formal and informal communication. The phrase follows standard grammar rules and it is considered correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it grieved me

Emphasizes deep sorrow or distress caused by something.

it saddened me

Focuses on the feeling of sadness or unhappiness.

it distressed me

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or suffering caused by something.

it caused me sorrow

Directly states that something brought about feelings of sorrow.

it made me regretful

Focuses on the feeling of regret or remorse about something.

it filled me with anguish

Conveys a strong sense of suffering and distress.

it was a source of grief to me

Expresses that something was a cause of sorrow or mourning.

it was upsetting to me

Indicates that something caused emotional discomfort or distress.

it was a regretful experience

Highlights that the experience made the person feel remorseful.

i felt sorry about it

Expresses sympathy, empathy, or regret for the situation or action.

FAQs

How can I use "it pained me" in a sentence?

You can use "it pained me" to express a feeling of sadness, regret, or distress. For example, "It pained me to see the project fail after so much hard work."

What's a more formal way to say "it pained me"?

A more formal alternative to "it pained me" could be "it grieved me" or "it distressed me", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "it pained me" to express slight disappointment?

For expressing slight disappointment, you might use phrases like "it saddened me" or "it was disappointing".

Is "it pained me" the same as "I was in pain"?

No, "it pained me" means something caused me emotional or mental distress. "I was in pain" refers to physical discomfort or suffering.