it pains me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it pains me' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express sadness, regret, or distress about something. For example, "It pains me to see you so unhappy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(I take frankly to mean "it pains me to put it so bluntly").

The New York Times - Magazine

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

Huffington Post

"It pains me here.

The New Yorker

It pains me.

The New Yorker

"Even if it pains me".

The New York Times

"It pains me so much".

The New York Times

"It pains me," he said.

The Guardian

"It pains me to say it.

The New York Times

It pains me to write this – literally.

The Guardian - Books

"It pains me to say no," he explained.

The New Yorker

As an admirer, it pains me to state the obvious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it pains me" to express sincere regret or sorrow, especially when discussing unpleasant or disappointing situations. It's particularly effective when you want to convey a sense of personal emotional impact.

Common error

While "it pains me" can be effective, overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic. Use it sparingly and consider alternative expressions to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pains me" functions as an expressive statement. It highlights a feeling of sadness, regret, or distress experienced by the speaker. As indicated by Ludwig, this expression is commonly used to convey personal emotional impact in relation to a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it pains me" is a commonly used expression to convey a sense of regret, sorrow, or emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is primarily found in News & Media sources, indicating its suitability for general communication. While highly effective for expressing personal emotional impact, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Consider alternatives such as ""it saddens me"" or "I'm sorry to admit" to maintain a balanced tone. Over all Ludwig marks this as a correct and usable phrase in written english.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it saddens me

Expresses sorrow or unhappiness, similar to "it pains me" but often with a milder emotional impact.

it causes me sorrow

Highlights the sorrowful aspect of a situation.

it grieves me

Indicates deep sorrow or distress, a stronger emotion than "it pains me".

i regret to say

Indicates reluctance in delivering bad news or expressing an unfavorable opinion.

i'm sorry to admit

Conveys a sense of disappointment or reluctance in acknowledging something.

i am loath to

Expresses reluctance or unwillingness to do something.

it disappoints me

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment, which can be a consequence of something causing pain.

i'm disheartened by

Expresses a loss of enthusiasm or hope due to something negative.

it's unfortunate that

Highlights the negative aspect of a situation, expressing regret without personal suffering.

i'm troubled by

Indicates concern or worry, implying mental discomfort rather than physical pain.

FAQs

What does "it pains me" mean?

The phrase "it pains me" is an idiomatic expression used to convey that something causes you emotional or mental distress, sorrow, or regret. It indicates that you are unhappy or saddened by a particular situation or fact.

When is it appropriate to use "it pains me" in writing?

Use "it pains me" when you want to express a sense of personal sorrow or regret about something. It's suitable when discussing negative events, disappointments, or situations that cause you emotional discomfort. Alternatives include "it saddens me" or "i regret to say".

Are there more formal or informal ways to express a similar sentiment to "it pains me"?

Yes, "it pains me" is relatively neutral. For a more formal tone, consider "it grieves me". For a slightly less formal approach, you could use "I'm sorry to admit".

How can I avoid overusing the phrase "it pains me" in my writing?

To avoid overuse, vary your language by using alternatives like "I'm disappointed by" or "it's unfortunate that". Also, be mindful of the overall tone of your writing and use such phrases judiciously to maintain a balanced and credible voice.