pang of joy

USAGE SUMMARY

"pang of joy" is a correct phrase used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sudden, short-lived feeling of intense happiness or excitement. For example, "She felt a pang of joy when she saw her best friend after such a long time apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You can't help but feel a small pang of joy at part of the story, though.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm sorry, but when every two minutes brings another heartfelt pang of pure patriotic joy, does patriotic joy really exist at all?

Huffington Post

Therefore, unlike OFC-lesioned and schizophrenia patients, OCD patients actually feel the pang of regret and the joy of relief more acutely than healthy control subjects.

Biological Psychiatry

As soon as I stood at the door of the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, waiting for my contact to print out credentials so I could finally enter the magical world of Pitti Fragranze, I felt a pang of enthusiasm, of nearly unbearable joy.

Huffington Post

It's a smooth symphony of joy balanced by remorse, hopefulness with a pang of guilt.

Huffington Post

It's a widely shared, yet secret, pang of hope: that our troubles and joys will be truly understood by another; and that all the messages we wish to send to the world would be received and perfectly understood, at least by someone.

Huffington Post

No leap of joy.

The New York Times - Sports

A thing of joy.

Independent

Tears of joy, pride, awe.

The New York Times - Sports

"I cried tears of joy".

The New Yorker

"It's full of joy".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pang of joy" to describe a brief, intense feeling of happiness that is often unexpected or comes as a reaction to a specific event or thought.

Common error

Avoid using "pang of joy" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pang of joy" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of emotional experience. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in written English. The word "pang" modifies "joy" to indicate that the feeling is sudden and acute.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pang of joy" describes a fleeting, intense feeling of happiness. While grammatically sound and recognized by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media, and science, often used to depict a sudden emotional response. Alternative phrases like "fleeting moment of happiness" or "sudden thrill of delight" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more formal expression might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting moment of happiness

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the joyful feeling.

sudden thrill of delight

Highlights the sudden and exhilarating aspect of the joyful sensation.

wave of elation

Conveys a strong and overwhelming feeling of joy, likened to a wave.

burst of happiness

Focuses on the explosive and immediate nature of the joyful emotion.

tinge of excitement

Suggests a milder, less intense form of joy, more akin to anticipation.

rush of pleasure

Emphasizes the physical sensation accompanying the joyful emotion.

surge of gladness

Highlights the powerful and overflowing quality of the feeling of joy.

hint of amusement

Indicates a subtle and understated form of joy, closer to mild entertainment.

shade of contentment

Implies a peaceful and satisfied feeling with a touch of joy.

spark of glee

Captures a lively and playful sense of joy.

FAQs

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

You can use "pang of joy" to describe a sudden, sharp feeling of happiness. For example, "She felt a "pang of joy" when she received the good news".

What can I say instead of "pang of joy"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting moment of happiness", "sudden thrill of delight", or "wave of elation" depending on the context.

Is "pang of joy" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "pang of joy" is not a very common expression. It's more poetic and evocative than everyday language.

What's the difference between "pang of joy" and "feeling of happiness"?

"Pang of joy" implies a sudden, sharp, and often unexpected feeling, while "feeling of happiness" is a more general and sustained emotion.