state of agony

USAGE SUMMARY

"state of agony" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is feeling intense physical or emotional pain. For example: "He suffered in a state of agony for hours before the ambulance arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And however flattering it was in concept, the task of inviting the artists to participate — which of course fell to Mr. Warren — put him in a state of agony.

The New York Times - Arts

The burning of churches, shooting and lynching of black men on the street left me in a state of agony.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In a state of "grief, agony and shock," she remained in Manhattan, camping out on friends' sofas.

The New York Times

Brody, in a delirious state of writhing agony, lying in the back of a pickup, is driven to Caracas and into one of South America's most apocalyptic urban fastnesses, the Tower of David.

The New Yorker

All you need to do is go within three yards of him and he will immediately roll around on the floor in a state of theatrical agony looking for the nearest referee, thereby proving without a doubt his identity" - Tom Quinn.

The Guardian - Sport

Twenty-five hundred yeago ago, the young Gautama Buddha left his princely home, in the foothills of the Himalayas, in a state of agitation and agony.

The Guardian

Fittingly, several of them even seem to be either generating or absorbing the radiating lines or drifting patterns that surround them, as if in a state of durg-induced agony or ecstasy.

The New York Times - Arts

While he still has moments of agony over the state of our house, he is usually capable of turning a blind eye to maintenance and of living, with me, in the moment.

The New York Times

"It evoked the precedent of the passive federal response to the state's agony in 2005, a chapter of history no one should ever repeat," the editors wrote, referring to the George W. Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.

Los Angeles Times

Ariely states, "The agony of parting with our money has to do with the saliency of [seeing] this money going away".

TechCrunch

-STEVE BYRNE Christchurch, U.K. Slice A chart on the state of the sporting goods industry ("The agony of defeat," July 26, p. 54) misstated the annual percentage change in Callaway Golf's earnings.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "state of agony" to describe situations involving intense physical or emotional pain, particularly when emphasizing the duration or persistence of the suffering. For instance, "The victim remained in a state of agony while awaiting medical assistance."

Common error

Avoid using "state of agony" to describe minor discomfort or mild distress. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving truly severe suffering to maintain its impact and avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "state of agony" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a condition of intense suffering, either physical or emotional. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "state of agony" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a condition of intense suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples primarily from news and media sources. While the phrase is not extremely common, it is appropriate for conveying the severity of physical or emotional pain. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations involving significant suffering to maintain its impact, and consider alternatives like "state of anguish" or "state of torment" to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

condition of agony

This alternative uses 'condition' instead of 'state', slightly altering the expression.

state of suffering

This alternative refers to the general condition of experiencing pain or hardship.

state of anguish

This alternative emphasizes deep mental or emotional suffering.

period of agony

This alternative shifts the focus to the duration of the suffering.

state of torment

This alternative implies severe physical or mental suffering.

moment of agony

This alternative highlights a specific instance of intense suffering.

state of distress

This alternative suggests a condition of being troubled or upset.

state of misery

This alternative denotes a profound state of unhappiness or suffering.

state of pain

This alternative focuses on the physical or emotional sensation of hurt.

state of grief

This alternative specifies the suffering caused by loss or bereavement.

FAQs

What does "state of agony" mean?

The phrase "state of agony" describes a condition of intense physical or emotional suffering. It suggests a prolonged and severe experience of pain or distress.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "state of agony"?

Use "state of agony" when describing situations involving extreme pain, distress, or suffering, whether physical or emotional. It's suitable for conveying the severity and intensity of the experience.

What are some alternatives to "state of agony"?

Alternatives include "state of suffering", "state of anguish", or "state of torment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "state of agony" differ from "state of distress"?

"State of agony" implies a higher degree of intensity and suffering than "state of distress". While distress suggests being troubled or upset, agony indicates severe pain and suffering.