such a pain

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a pain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a stressful or difficult experience. For example: I've been dealing with this paperwork all day - it's such a pain!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's such a pain," she said.

The New Yorker

Now it's such a pain.

The New York Times

"I'm such a pain," he said.

The New York Times

Keeping a garden was such a pain, she said.

The New Yorker

Success is such a pain in the arse".

The Guardian - Film

People don't recycle them, because it's such a pain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He ducks and dives, defenders find him such a pain!

The Guardian - Books

/ Poor tired wombat, these birds are such a pain".

The New York Times - Books

"But they were such a pain in the neck.

The New York Times

Age at that point is such a pain.

The New York Times - Sports

"She's such a pain," she said, and immediately opted for Nora in A Doll's House.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a pain" to express mild annoyance or frustration with a task, person, or situation. It's suitable for informal settings.

Common error

While "such a pain" is a common expression, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey the specific nature of the difficulty or inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a pain" functions as an adjectival phrase expressing that something is annoying, bothersome, or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct expression. It is used to communicate a negative sentiment towards a specific subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a pain" is a frequently used phrase to express annoyance or frustration, as verified by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and widely understood, it functions as an adjectival phrase within sentences. While versatile, its neutral to informal register makes it better suited for casual contexts than formal academic writing. The expression appears most commonly in News & Media, as seen in Ludwig's examples, suggesting its broad appeal and relevance in everyday communication. When aiming for precision in formal writing, consider alternatives like "a real nuisance" or "a major inconvenience" to convey specific nuances. Ludwig's analysis shows that while "such a pain" is valid, awareness of its register and potential alternatives will lead to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a real nuisance

Emphasizes the annoying quality of something.

a major hassle

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved.

a big inconvenience

Focuses on the disruption caused.

a troublesome situation

Describes the problem as causing worry or difficulty.

an arduous task

Stresses the effort and difficulty required.

a frustrating experience

Highlights the feeling of annoyance and dissatisfaction.

a difficult undertaking

Focuses on the challenging nature of the activity.

a source of irritation

Points to the cause of annoyance.

more trouble than it's worth

Indicates the negative aspects outweigh the benefits.

a constant bother

Highlights the persistent and repetitive nature of the annoyance.

FAQs

What does "such a pain" mean?

It means something is annoying, difficult, or causing trouble.

What can I say instead of "such a pain"?

You can use alternatives like "a real nuisance", "a major hassle", or "a big inconvenience" depending on the context.

Is "such a pain" appropriate for formal writing?

It's generally more suitable for informal conversations and writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise language to describe the specific issue.

How can I use "such a pain" in a sentence?

You can say, "Dealing with this paperwork is "such a pain"" or "He's "such a pain" to work with because he never listens".