painful choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painful choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a decision that is difficult and causes emotional distress or discomfort. Example: "Choosing between my career and my family was a painful choice that I had to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Given his limited resources, every expenditure involves a painful choice.

The New York Times

Buy from Amazon.comGERMAN intellectuals in the 1930s faced a painful choice between exile and danger.

The Economist

Then, on Thursday, they were suddenly presented with a painful choice.

The New York Times

Never was there such a painful choice between form and function.

The New York Times - Tech

Sonia Johnson described that painful choice as "trying to decide which child to save from the fire".

The New York Times

In a country that puts great value on retaining face, experts on the elderly say that is a painful choice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We face painful choices.

The New York Times

Palestinians must also make painful choices.

The New York Times

Painful choices would have to be made.

The New York Times

Davis had to make some painful choices.

The New Yorker

"Painful choices need to be made at the political level".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "painful choice", ensure the context clearly indicates why the decision is difficult and what negative consequences it may entail.

Common error

Avoid using "painful choice" when a simpler term like "difficult decision" would suffice. Overuse can diminish the impact of the phrase when it's truly warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painful choice" functions as a noun phrase, where "painful" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "choice". It describes a specific type of decision-making scenario. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "painful choice" is a commonly used phrase to describe a decision that involves emotional distress and difficult options. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring the context clearly conveys the difficulty and negative aspects of the decision. Related phrases like "agonizing decision" or "tough decision" can provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agonizing decision

Emphasizes the mental and emotional distress caused by the decision.

heart-wrenching decision

Highlights the emotional pain and sorrow associated with the decision.

tragic decision

Replaces "choice" with "decision" and emphasizes the severity and sorrow associated with the selection.

bitter decision

Suggests a decision that leaves a negative or unpleasant aftertaste.

tough decision

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the sense of difficulty.

difficult dilemma

Substitutes both "painful" and "choice" to convey the challenging nature of the situation.

poignant decision

Highlights the emotionally moving and touching aspect of the decision.

uncomfortable decision

Indicates unease and reluctance in making the decision.

challenging selection

Emphasizes the difficulty in making a selection.

unpleasant predicament

Shifts the focus to the unfortunate situation requiring a choice.

FAQs

What does "painful choice" mean?

A "painful choice" refers to a decision that is emotionally difficult and often involves selecting between two or more undesirable options, each with significant negative consequences.

How can I use "painful choice" in a sentence?

You can use "painful choice" to describe situations where a decision causes distress or regret, such as, "The company faced the "painful choice" of laying off employees or reducing salaries."

What are some alternatives to "painful choice"?

Alternatives to "painful choice" include "difficult dilemma", "agonizing decision", or "tough decision", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "painful choice" formal or informal?

"Painful choice" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from a more nuanced or specific alternative.