vast pain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast pain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or overwhelming level of suffering or discomfort, often in a metaphorical or emotional context. Example: "After the loss of her beloved pet, she felt a vast pain that seemed to engulf her entire being."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health

Economics

Culture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When the women were shocked, brain scans picked up the activation of a vast pain network spread throughout the brain.

The New York Times - Health

And economic bloodletting isn't just inflicting vast pain; it's starting to undermine our long-run growth prospects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although medical conditions like dysmenorrhea or endometriosis are linked to severe period pain, vast numbers of women are under-treated for or undiagnosed with these issues.

The Guardian

Shalamov's stories evoke the "world-like" camps as vast structures of pain, devourers of the men and women trapped within them.

The Guardian - Books

Or is it something else — a vast universe of pain that will only get worse as a bear market takes hold?

The New York Times

I notice the old British cannon on the heights – and the spanking new anti-aircraft gun beside it, barrels deflected to point at us, at all who enter this vast metropolis of pain.

Independent

By the topics she raised on her show and by telling her own secrets, Ms. Winfrey brought into the open previously hidden problems like rape and incest and exposed the vast underbelly of pain, loneliness and abuse that can be as much a part of family life as the love and cheer most people (and before her, most TV shows) present to the world.

The New York Times

Here is where your typical American news story might turn into a parable of addiction and dysfunction, even though the evidence we have suggests the vast majority of pain patients don't become addicted.

Vice

And no matter what, thanks to Jon Hamm's ability to convey aching vulnerability, vast reservoirs of pain and a desire to somehow be a better man despite Don's selfish jackass tendencies, we'll never be able to look away.

Huffington Post

The vast majority of pain studies at the peripheral level have focused on small DRG neurons (<25 µm in diameter) and their fibers.

Plosone

"The vast majority of back pain is what doctors call self-limited -- the condition will improve on its own without therapy.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast pain" when you want to emphasize the scale or intensity of suffering, whether physical or emotional. This phrase is particularly effective in conveying a sense of being overwhelmed by pain.

Common error

Avoid using "vast pain" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase has a somewhat formal and dramatic tone, making it more suitable for serious or literary contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast pain" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "vast" modifies the noun "pain". It describes the intensity and scope of the pain experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vast pain" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to describe a significant and overwhelming degree of suffering, either physical or emotional. Ludwig AI analysis has determined it is suitable for serious contexts. While not exceedingly common, the expression effectively conveys the intensity and scope of the pain, often creating a sense of being completely consumed by it. Primarily found in news and media, it is less common in scientific writing. When choosing an alternative, consider options like "immense suffering" or "great anguish" to maintain the intended emphasis on magnitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense suffering

Replaces "pain" with a broader term for suffering and uses a synonym for "vast" to denote the scale.

great anguish

Substitutes "pain" with "anguish" to emphasize emotional distress and uses a synonym for "vast" to describe its intensity.

tremendous agony

Replaces "pain" with a more intense synonym, "agony", while using another synonym for "vast" to express the severity.

extensive suffering

Focuses on the widespread nature of the suffering rather than just the intensity of the pain.

profound sorrow

Shifts the emphasis to the emotional aspect, highlighting deep sadness instead of physical or emotional pain.

deep distress

Emphasizes the severe emotional or mental strain experienced.

overwhelming grief

Focuses on the feeling of loss and the intense sadness associated with it.

intense discomfort

Downplays the severity by using "discomfort" instead of "pain", while still conveying a high level of intensity.

boundless agony

Uses a poetic term to describe the unending aspect of agony, similar to the original query's implication of scale.

unfathomable suffering

Highlights the incomprehensible or immeasurable nature of the suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "vast pain" to describe an overwhelming sense of physical or emotional suffering. For example: "The loss of her family brought a "vast pain" that consumed her." Or, "The economic downturn caused "vast pain" for many families."

What words can I use instead of "vast pain"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "vast pain" include "immense suffering", "great anguish", or "tremendous agony".

Is it appropriate to use "vast pain" in a medical context?

While "vast pain" can be used metaphorically to describe the overwhelming nature of chronic or severe pain, it is generally more appropriate to use precise medical terminology when discussing a patient's condition with healthcare professionals.

What's the difference between ""vast pain"" and "intense pain"?

"Vast pain" emphasizes the scale and all-encompassing nature of the suffering, suggesting a pain that fills one's entire being. "Intense pain" focuses more on the degree of severity of the pain itself, without necessarily implying a widespread impact.