it was agonizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was agonizing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that was extremely painful or distressing, either physically or emotionally. Example: "Waiting for the test results was agonizing, and I could hardly focus on anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They have been raised by her sister, Wendy Evil, who says it was agonizing to take the children to see their mother in prison.

The New York Times - Science

It was "agonizing" to decide to cease production at a California plant this year, after G.M., its partner in the joint venture, decided to pull out.

The New York Times

Paul O'Neill said it was agonizing to be slumping the way Williams was but added, "It seems like the whole team is in one right now".

The New York Times - Sports

Catcher Matt Wieters acknowledged that at times, it was agonizing for the Orioles as they were unable to creep into first for a full day, but he said they also felt good as they continued to play well.

The New York Times - Sports

For a couple of years, there was no solution in sight, and it was agonizing.

Science Magazine

It was agonizing to watch.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I was about to tell my friend that my dad was gay; I was agonizing over it because he was very close and I hadn't told him," recounts Jennifer Rios, "and the next thing you know, my brother says, 'Oh, I already told him.' " "It was because you waited too long," Jacob interjects with a laugh.

Los Angeles Times

It's agonizing.

The New York Times

It is agonizing for the mothers of the two girls not to know more.

The New York Times

It is painfully slow, it is agonizing to watch, but it is recovery," said Paul Farmer, a Harvard physician who has spent three decades in Haiti and whose group, Partners in Health, is opening a modern, 320-bed public teaching hospital an hour north of the Haitian capital.

The Washington Post

Bravery is to keep going even when it's agonizing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact on your reader. The phrase "it was agonizing" evokes strong feelings, so use it judiciously to maintain the desired tone.

Common error

While "it was agonizing" is effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "it was excruciating" or "it was torturous" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was agonizing" functions as a descriptive statement, typically acting as the main clause in a sentence. It predicates a state of extreme distress or pain. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

HuffPost

20%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was agonizing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe situations involving extreme pain or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-accepted. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives, with a primary function of conveying intense suffering. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by clearly defining what "it" refers to and avoiding overuse. Consider synonymous alternatives such as "it was excruciating" or "it was torturous" to maintain impact and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was excruciating

Replaces "agonizing" with "excruciating", emphasizing intense pain or suffering.

it was torturous

Substitutes "agonizing" with "torturous", highlighting the feeling of being subjected to torment.

it was intensely painful

Replaces "agonizing" with "intensely painful", directly focusing on the sensation of pain.

it was profoundly distressing

Changes "agonizing" to "profoundly distressing", emphasizing emotional suffering.

it was a harrowing experience

Uses "a harrowing experience" instead of "agonizing", shifting the focus to the overall event being deeply disturbing.

it was deeply traumatic

Replaces "agonizing" with "deeply traumatic", emphasizing the lasting psychological impact.

it was unbearable to witness

Focuses on the act of witnessing something that was agonizing, highlighting the observer's perspective.

it was a nightmare

Uses "a nightmare" as a metaphorical substitute for "agonizing", conveying a sense of horror and dread.

it was a terrible ordeal

Replaces "agonizing" with "a terrible ordeal", describing a severely difficult or painful experience.

it was a heart-wrenching situation

Uses "a heart-wrenching situation" instead of "agonizing", focusing on the emotional pain and empathy involved.

FAQs

How can I use "it was agonizing" in a sentence?

Use "it was agonizing" to describe situations or experiences that caused extreme pain, distress, or suffering. For example, "Waiting for the test results "it was agonizing", and I could barely focus on anything else."

What are some alternatives to "it was agonizing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was excruciating", "it was torturous", or "it was intensely painful" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was agonizing" or "it was agonising"?

"It was agonizing" is the standard American English spelling, while "it was agonising" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, but choose the one appropriate for your audience.

What kind of situations are best described by "it was agonizing"?

"It was agonizing" is suitable for describing situations involving extreme physical pain, intense emotional distress, or prolonged periods of uncertainty. It conveys a high degree of suffering.