painful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes emotional or physical discomfort or distress. Example: "It was painful to watch my friend struggle with his illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was painful to watch.

The New York Times

They're almost painful to watch.

The New Yorker

That was painful to hear.

The New York Times

Painful to watch..

The Guardian - Film

Too painful to contemplate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is all really painful to watch.

The New York Times

It's just too painful to imagine".

The New York Times - Sports

The video is painful to watch.

The New York Times

— The tape was painful to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

These thoughts were painful to formulate.

The New York Times

It can be painful to watch.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "painful to" when you want to express that something is causing emotional or physical discomfort. It is suitable for describing experiences, observations, or even memories that evoke distress. It adds a layer of empathy or concern to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "painful to" in contexts that are not genuinely distressing. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Reserve it for situations that truly warrant such a strong expression of discomfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painful to" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a verb to describe the degree of discomfort or distress caused by an action or situation. As indicated by Ludwig, it adds a layer of emotional or physical suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "painful to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey emotional or physical discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, including news, sports, and lifestyle. While alternatives like "difficult to" or "unpleasant to" exist, "painful to" emphasizes a deeper sense of distress. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context to avoid melodrama and ensure your writing resonates with genuine empathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to

Focuses on the challenge or effort required in a situation.

hard to

Emphasizes the level of difficulty or unpleasantness.

unpleasant to

Highlights the disagreeable or displeasing nature of something.

distressing to

Emphasizes the emotional upset or anxiety caused.

upsetting to

Focuses on causing emotional disturbance or unhappiness.

agonizing to

Conveys extreme mental or physical suffering.

excruciating to

Highlights the intensity of the pain or discomfort.

trying to

Emphasizes the taxing or frustrating nature of an experience.

taxing to

Highlights the draining effect on one's resources or energy.

irritating to

Focuses on causing annoyance or frustration.

FAQs

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

You can use "painful to" to describe something that causes emotional or physical suffering. For example, "It was painful to watch the team lose the game" or "The memory was painful to revisit".

What are some alternatives to "painful to"?

Alternatives include "difficult to", "hard to", "unpleasant to", or "distressing to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "painful to watch"?

Yes, "painful to watch" is a common and correct expression used to describe a situation or performance that is distressing or uncomfortable to observe.

What is the difference between "painful to watch" and "difficult to watch"?

"Painful to watch" implies a sense of emotional distress or discomfort, whereas "difficult to watch" suggests that something is challenging or hard to endure, but not necessarily emotionally distressing.