pang of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

"pang of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of guilt or regret. For example: "The pang of conscience was too strong for me to ignore as I left the homeless man standing in the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For this pang of conscience, union officials labelled him "chicken-hearted".

The New Yorker

It comes with a pang of conscience, but Schadenfreude sells newspapers and she had a job to do.

The Economist

"He did not, as he would have you believe, have a sudden pang of conscience, an epiphany, an experience of sudden and striking realisation".

Independent

They do so, he believes, not out of any pang of conscience, but because those sites elegantly created a one-stop destination.

The Guardian

The two got a contract and started working on the recipes — testing and tweaking, sending notes back and forth, feeding the results to their children — and then Crittenden was hit by a pang of conscience.

The New York Times

Yet as I looked at the rest of the clientele, I felt a pang of conscience: should I be buying clothes that might otherwise go to children less well off than my own?

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

One quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.

The New York Times

But not everybody, I found, had the same pangs of conscience.

The New York Times - Travel

To a few, he confided pangs of conscience over his wife's burdens.

The New York Times

(Why not allow Belloq to change sides? His pangs of conscience are rather elegant).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pang of conscience" to describe a sudden, sharp feeling of guilt or regret, often triggered by a specific action or thought.

Common error

Avoid using "pang of conscience" to describe ongoing feelings of regret. The phrase implies a sudden, acute sensation, not a constant state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pang of conscience" functions as a noun phrase typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a sudden and sharp feeling of guilt or regret, arising from moral or ethical considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pang of conscience" is a noun phrase denoting a sudden feeling of guilt or regret, most frequently observed in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While related phrases such as "feeling of guilt" and "remorseful feeling" offer similar meanings, "pang of conscience" specifically emphasizes the abrupt nature of this internal discomfort. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a fleeting and intense moment of moral recognition rather than a persistent state of guilt. The top authoritative sources that use this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of guilt

Focuses directly on the emotion of guilt, omitting the suddenness implied by "pang".

remorseful feeling

Highlights the regret associated with the conscience, using "remorseful".

wave of regret

Emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of regret rather than the moral aspect.

moral qualm

Focuses on the moral doubt or hesitation, a precursor to potential regret.

attack of guilt

Similar to pang, suggests a sudden onset of guilt.

sense of shame

Emphasizes the feeling of shame that arises from a guilty conscience.

prick of conscience

Suggests a milder, less intense feeling of guilt compared to a pang.

ethical unease

Highlights the discomfort related to a moral or ethical dilemma.

moment of compunction

Focuses on the brief feeling of regret or remorse.

internal conflict

Broader term indicating a struggle with one's moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "pang of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "pang of conscience" to describe a sudden feeling of guilt or regret. For instance, "He felt a "pang of conscience" when he lied to his friend."

What's a good alternative to "pang of conscience"?

Alternatives include "feeling of guilt", "remorseful feeling", or "moral qualm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pangs of conscience"?

Yes, "pangs of conscience" is the plural form and is used when referring to multiple instances or a series of feelings of guilt or regret, indicating intensity and repetition.

When should I use "pang of conscience" versus "sense of guilt"?

"Pang of conscience" suggests a sudden and sharp feeling, while "sense of guilt" implies a more sustained or general feeling of culpability. Use "pang" when the feeling is acute and immediate.