trace of pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trace of pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or subtle indication of suffering or discomfort, often in a physical or emotional context. Example: "Her smile had a trace of pain, revealing the struggles she had been through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It seems to have left scarcely a trace of pain behind in the collective consciousness...

The New York Times - Books

How could this unprecedented downfall leave "scarcely a trace of pain behind in the collective consciousness"?

The Guardian - Arts

Brashear is still sidelined with a concussion, and Worrell skated away without any trace of pain.

The New York Times - Sports

"Iraq," he replied, and his face registered a trace of pain.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, he showed no trace of pain today, hitting the ball crisply throughout the morning, while playing 18 holes briskly.

The New York Times - Sports

By the time Claxton snapped him he was "in agony", but in the pictures there is only an aesthetic trace of pain.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Ms. Drescher stars in a comedy about marital discord that airbrushes out all traces of pain, sadness or anger.

The New York Times - Arts

The book's landscape is shot through with traces of pain; like the decaying bodies that the young Bernhard could still smell beneath the rebuilt streets of Salzburg, "grisly traces" of the war in the valley remain, occasionally shocking their way through the snow.

The New Yorker

Bobby, in the new movie, is one of his gentlest characters, though even here we pick up traces of pain in his past, and one glorious shot of him, drawing on a cigarette and gazing out at the bruise-colored dusk, suggests a weariness to match that of the other residents.

The New Yorker

Dr Flor believes that, by removing the reinforcement loop and bringing in so-called pain-incompatible memories, traces of pain in the brain can be reduced or even extinguished.If Dr Flor's memory hypothesis is correct, revolutionary approaches for treating chronic pain may be on the horizon.

The Economist

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Arizona State University examined feather meal from U.S. chickens and turkeys and found traces of the pain reliever acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), the antihistamine diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl) and the antidepressant fluoxetine (the active ingredient in Prozac).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "trace of pain", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to physical or emotional suffering. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "trace of pain" excessively in overly dramatic or sentimental writing. Subtle indications of suffering can be more impactful than explicit statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace of pain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subtle indicator of suffering, either physical or emotional. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trace of pain" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase denoting a subtle indication of suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is most common in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase serves to convey nuanced observations about a person's state, implying a level of subtlety that enhances the descriptive quality of writing. Alternatives such as ""hint of suffering"" or ""sign of discomfort"" can be used to adjust the intensity or focus of the expression. It's crucial to use the phrase thoughtfully, avoiding overuse in melodramatic contexts to maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of suffering

Replaces "trace" with "hint" and "pain" with "suffering", altering the nuance slightly towards a suggestion rather than a direct indication.

sign of discomfort

Substitutes "trace" with "sign" and "pain" with "discomfort", making the phrase slightly less intense and more general.

evidence of anguish

Replaces "trace" with "evidence" and "pain" with "anguish", intensifying the emotional aspect of suffering and providing a stronger indication.

vestige of agony

Uses more formal and intense vocabulary; "vestige" suggests a remaining sign, and "agony" implies extreme suffering.

shadow of sadness

Metaphorically represents pain as sadness, implying a less physical and more emotional manifestation.

tinge of bitterness

Focuses on emotional pain, specifically a feeling of resentment or disappointment.

undertone of suffering

Suggests a subtle and underlying presence of pain, not immediately obvious but still detectable.

faint suggestion of hurt

Emphasizes the subtlety and indirectness of the indication of pain.

fleeting glimpse of distress

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the observed pain.

lingering mark of trauma

Indicates a lasting effect of pain, specifically from a traumatic experience.

FAQs

How can I use "trace of pain" in a sentence?

You can use "trace of pain" to describe a slight indication of physical or emotional suffering. For example, "Despite her brave face, there was a "trace of pain" in her eyes."

What are some alternatives to "trace of pain"?

Alternatives include "hint of suffering", "sign of discomfort", or "evidence of anguish", depending on the context and the intensity you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "trace of pain" or "signs of pain"?

"Trace of pain" suggests a subtle or barely perceptible indication, while "signs of pain" implies more noticeable or multiple indicators of suffering.

What does "trace of pain" imply about the person experiencing it?

A ""trace of pain"" often suggests that the person is trying to hide or suppress their suffering, making the observation all the more poignant.