pangs of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

'pangs of conscience' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling of guilt or shame that someone may have after making a mistake or bad decision. For example: "The pangs of conscience kept Alicia awake throughout the night, as she couldn't get past the fact that she had lied to her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

Not because of legitimate pangs of conscience.

The Washington Post

One quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.

The New York Times

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

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

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "pangs of conscience" to signify a turning point in a narrative, illustrating a shift in a character's values or behavior due to their growing awareness of the ethical implications of their choices.

Common error

Avoid using "pangs of conscience" to describe minor inconveniences or slight regrets. This phrase carries a weight of moral or ethical significance, so reserve it for situations where there is genuine guilt or remorse over a serious wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pangs of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating it describes feelings of guilt or remorse. This phrase adds emotional depth and moral complexity to writing.

Expression frequency: Common

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, "pangs of conscience" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes feelings of guilt or remorse after a morally questionable action. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Science contexts, this phrase effectively conveys internal moral conflict. To enhance your writing, remember that "pangs of conscience" is best suited for situations involving genuine guilt and ethical implications, as using it for trivial regrets would diminish its impact. Related phrases include "agonies of conscience" and "waves of guilt", offering variations in intensity and expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agonies of conscience

This alternative emphasizes a more intense and prolonged feeling of guilt or moral suffering.

pangs of remorse

This alternative specifically highlights regret or sorrow for past actions.

waves of guilt

This alternative uses a metaphor to describe the feeling of guilt as something that comes and goes in intensity.

moral qualms

This alternative suggests a feeling of doubt or unease about the morality of one's actions.

pricks of conscience

This alternative describes a milder, less intense feeling of guilt or unease.

feelings of compunction

This alternative highlights a sense of regret or remorse for one's actions, often leading to a desire to make amends.

a guilty conscience

This alternative refers to the state of being burdened by guilt and regret.

moral misgivings

This alternative implies feelings of doubt or uncertainty about whether something is morally right.

remorseful feelings

This alternative emphasizes the emotional aspect of regret and sorrow.

a troubled conscience

This alternative suggests a state of inner turmoil and unease due to guilt or moral conflict.

FAQs

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

You can use "pangs of conscience" to describe a character's internal struggle with guilt after making a morally questionable decision. For example, "After betraying his friend, he suffered "pangs of conscience"."

What's a more intense way to express "pangs of conscience"?

If you want to convey a stronger feeling of guilt or remorse, you could use phrases like "agonies of conscience" or "ravages of conscience".

Are there any synonyms for "pangs of conscience" that are less formal?

While "pangs of conscience" is already fairly accessible, you could opt for phrases like "guilty conscience" or "moral qualms" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pains of conscience" instead of "pangs of conscience"?

While understandable, "pains of conscience" is less common and idiomatic than ""pangs of conscience"". "Pangs" suggests a sharper, more acute feeling of guilt.