remained painful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained painful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or feeling that continues to cause discomfort or distress over time. Example: "After the accident, the injury remained painful for several weeks, making it difficult to walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The writing remained painful.

The New Yorker

She saw a local doctor, who diagnosed a dislocation of her hip and attempted a reduction, which failed, as the hip remained painful und unstable.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

A fair range of mobility persisted in the hip but it remained painful so that the patient continued to walk on crutches.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

One osteoarthritis shoulder had undergone a previous procedure with humeral component implantation; it remained painful because of a glenoid chondrolysis resulting in total shoulder prosthesis.

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukFOR Americans of a certain age, memories of November 22nd 1963 remain painful.

The Economist

Although the Obama economic plan may be succeeding, there remain painful dislocations and 15 million jobless Americans.

The New York Times

Castelli made a fortune for Schnabel in New York in the 1980s, and vice versa, but the parting blows were vicious and apparently remain painful after 30 years.

The Guardian

The memories of his defeat by Lleyton Hewitt, the world No1, in the semi-finals at Wimbledon remain painful but Henman's chances of making China in November are good, provided the shoulder injury clears up and does not recur.

The Guardian - Sport

While the memories of the victims and the devastation remain painful, they're layered with the images of what this country became in the days, weeks and months following the attacks of that Tuesday in September.

Huffington Post

Our study clearly showed that an evaluation at d8 is sufficient for proposing re-irradiation or another treatment for remaining painful metastases, as patients not responding at this end point have significantly lower PRFS.

BMC Palliative Care

Ms. Sierra's final moments remained a painful mystery for her relatives and those who followed her movements online.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a condition or situation that has not improved, use "remained painful" to convey the ongoing discomfort or distress. This is particularly effective in medical, emotional, or historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "remained painful" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "still hurt" or "stayed sore" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained painful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of continuing pain. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used to describe physical injuries, emotional states, or historical events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained painful" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe the continuation of pain, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms this with various real-world examples. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "remained painful" to emphasize the ongoing nature of discomfort, but consider simpler alternatives for informal settings. Understanding its proper usage will enhance your writing and help you to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to hurt

Focuses on the continuation of physical pain.

persisted in discomfort

Highlights the ongoing nature of general discomfort.

stayed sore

Emphasizes the lingering sensation of soreness.

remained uncomfortable

Indicates a sustained state of unease.

lingered painfully

Highlights the lingering quality and painful aspect of something, often emotional or metaphorical.

continued to be agonizing

Focuses on the intense and prolonged suffering.

the ache persisted

Emphasizes the duration of a dull, continuous pain.

the pain endured

Highlights the ability to withstand pain over time.

the suffering continued

Focuses on the ongoing experience of emotional or physical suffering.

discomfort persisted

Stresses the continuation of a lack of ease or well-being.

FAQs

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

You can use "remained painful" to describe something that continues to cause physical or emotional discomfort. For example: "After the surgery, the incision "remained painful" for several weeks".

What are some alternatives to "remained painful"?

Alternatives include "continued to hurt", "persisted in discomfort", or "stayed sore" depending on the specific context and the type of pain being described.

Is it grammatically correct to say "remained painfully"?

While "remained painfully" isn't incorrect, "remained painful" is more common and often preferred. "Painfully" typically modifies a verb, while "painful" functions as an adjective describing a state or condition.

What is the difference between "remained painful" and "was still painful"?

"Remained painful" suggests a continuation of a previously painful state, whereas "was still painful" simply indicates that pain persisted at a certain point in time. "Remained" implies a duration that "was still" doesn't necessarily convey.