utter pain

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter pain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a very intense level of pain, usually physical or emotional. For example, "The patient experienced utter pain in his knee after the surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Hosting a party is an utter pain in the Pippa.

The Guardian - Opinion

For an hour, his underlings fought for the chance to take out years of frustrations on their despised boss, and after an hour of utter pain and humiliation, his secretary had the honour of hurling Philip's bloodied body from the roof.

The Guardian

Anyone who's ever driven in a city can attest to the fact that it's an utter pain in the rear to find somewhere to park.

TechCrunch

When trekking across the globe, lugging around four-and-a-half pounds worth of guide books is an utter pain in the arse.

TechCrunch

I suspect we will encounter utter pain as we connect with the residual effects of war.

Huffington Post

Which would be, in technical terms, an utter pain in the ass.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This utter, piercing pain.

Huffington Post

Though the baculum's non-uniformity in mammals means its exact function is unclear, the utter, agonising pain of fracturing it should be easily imaginable to anyone with the ability to wince.

Vice

Though the baculum's non-uniformity in mammals means its exact function is unclear, the utter, agonizing pain of fracturing it should be easily imaginable to anyone with the ability to wince.

Vice

Thinking of the notion of my own childhood is saddening; the flooding memories of utter toil, pain, and stereotyping eventually led me to be marginalized from other children and the larger society.

Huffington Post

Another motivation for Denny's ministry was his understanding of the life of Christ: "Because of the sacrifice and commitment of Christ, the place of utter despair, terror, pain and evil becomes, 'a road to bring us nearer God'".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter pain" to emphasize the extreme intensity of physical or emotional suffering. This phrase is most effective when describing experiences that are exceptionally agonizing.

Common error

Avoid using "utter pain" to describe minor discomfort or slight inconvenience. This phrase is reserved for scenarios involving truly significant suffering, and its overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter pain" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "utter" intensifies the noun "pain". Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English, emphasizing a very intense level of pain, typically physical or emotional.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utter pain" is a grammatically correct and impactful way to describe intense suffering. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to convey a very intense level of pain, both physical and emotional. While relatively uncommon, the phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize the severity of a situation and consider alternatives like "extreme suffering" or "intense agony" for variety. Avoid overusing it in mild situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolute agony

Synonym to "utter pain", using a slightly different adjective.

intense agony

Replaces "utter pain" with another term that describes strong suffering.

unbearable anguish

Highlights the unbearable nature of the pain, using a more emotional term.

sheer torment

Emphasizes the tormenting quality of the pain, suggesting ongoing suffering.

extreme suffering

Focuses on the intensity of suffering, replacing "pain" with a broader term.

pure suffering

Highlights the unadulterated nature of the suffering, indicating its intensity.

profound distress

Highlights the profound nature of the suffering, indicating a deep emotional impact.

excruciating discomfort

Focuses on the physical aspect of intense discomfort and pain.

complete misery

Shifts the focus to overall misery, encompassing more than just physical pain.

deep sorrow

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of the pain, using a more melancholic term.

FAQs

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

Use "utter pain" to describe a situation involving a very high level of suffering. For example, "The survivors of the disaster experienced "utter pain" and loss".

What's the difference between "utter pain" and "extreme pain"?

"Utter pain" suggests a complete and overwhelming sense of suffering, whereas "extreme pain" simply indicates a high degree of pain. The former emphasizes the totality of the experience.

What can I say instead of "utter pain"?

You can use alternatives like "intense agony", "unbearable anguish", or "absolute misery" depending on the context.

Is "utter pain" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "utter pain" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing significant suffering or hardship. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece. In some cases, a more clinical term might be more appropriate.