painful episodes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painful episodes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe instances or occurrences that involve significant discomfort or distress, often in a medical or emotional context. Example: "The patient reported experiencing painful episodes that significantly affected their quality of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Acute, severe painful episodes often necessitate hospitalization for pain management with intravenous opioids.

BMC Psychiatry

1 2 More than 90% of hospital admissions of patients with SCD in the UK have been shown to be for acute pain treatment, 3 and the management of acute painful episodes continues to pose a challenge for haematologists.

BMJ Open

Further scrutiny of this association showed that pain groups defined by the number of severe and extremely severe acute painful episodes had higher mean PSQI scores with increasing numbers of acute painful events (p < .001, Table  3).

BMC Psychiatry

But in fact, despite many painful episodes, the Roosevelts functioned quite well together.

The New York Times - Arts

In A.I.P., painful episodes are often triggered by fasting or low-carb diets.

The New York Times

The case remains one of the most painful episodes for the Albanian residents of the bitterly divided town.

The New York Times

He looked into her stomach and intestines with an endoscope in search of the cause of the painful episodes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not every school has a death traced to under-age drinking, he said, but most districts have painful episodes.

The New York Times

It was one of several painful episodes in his past: his mother later had a nervous breakdown.

The New York Times

A.I.P. often causes high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate — at least during the painful episodes.

The New York Times

The speech Mr. Lieberman delivered on the Senate floor remains one of the senator's most painful episodes, friends and aides say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical conditions or personal experiences, use "painful episodes" to convey the recurring nature and impact of the discomfort. Be specific about the frequency, severity, and triggers when possible.

Common error

Avoid using "painful episodes" in overly casual or trivial situations. The phrase carries a sense of seriousness and should be reserved for genuinely distressing or uncomfortable experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painful episodes" functions as a noun phrase that describes recurring events characterized by pain or distress. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig confirms, it's suitable for formal use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "painful episodes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe recurring experiences of pain or distress, as verified by Ludwig. It is most common in scientific and news contexts, denoting its relevance in both medical and general discussions. Ludwig's analysis highlights that the phrase serves to communicate the repetitive and impactful nature of these experiences. For alternative phrasing, consider "agonizing incidents" or "distressing occurrences". When writing, reserve the phrase for situations where the distress is significant, and avoid overuse in casual contexts. The phrase is suitable for a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe afflictions

Highlights the suffering and distress caused by the events.

agonizing incidents

Emphasizes the severe suffering involved, intensifying the unpleasantness.

trying ordeals

Emphasizes the testing and demanding nature of the events.

distressing occurrences

Focuses on the emotional impact, highlighting the anxiety and worry caused.

traumatic experiences

Highlights the potential for long-lasting psychological harm.

unpleasant events

A more general term that lacks the intensity of "painful episodes".

adverse circumstances

Focuses on the unfavorable conditions surrounding the events.

difficult situations

Shifts the focus to the challenging nature of the circumstances.

challenging periods

Emphasizes the duration and the need for resilience.

hard times

A simpler, more colloquial way to describe difficult experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "painful episodes" to describe recurring instances of physical or emotional distress. For example, "The patient experienced frequent painful episodes due to their chronic condition."

What are some alternatives to "painful episodes"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "agonizing incidents", "distressing occurrences", or "unpleasant events".

Is it appropriate to use "painful episodes" when discussing emotional distress?

Yes, "painful episodes" can be used to describe both physical and emotional suffering. It effectively conveys the recurring and impactful nature of the distress.

What's the difference between "painful episodes" and "difficult times"?

"Painful episodes" specifically refer to recurring instances of discomfort or distress, whether physical or emotional. "Difficult times", on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses any challenging period or situation.