I have a terrible headache vs have a serious painful headache

Both phrases convey the idea of experiencing a severe headache, but the first phrase 'I have a terrible headache' is the more commonly used and natural way to express this. The second phrase 'have a serious painful headache' is grammatically correct but sounds less natural and is not commonly used in everyday English.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 950 views

I have a terrible headache

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a severe headache.

This phrase is a natural and common way to describe experiencing a very bad headache.

Examples:

I have a terrible headache and need to lie down.
She couldn't come to work because she had a terrible headache.
A terrible headache kept him up all night.
He took some medicine for his terrible headache.
The noise made her terrible headache even worse.

Show examples from the web [+]

I have a terrible headache. (herrsilen); [S] · [T] I have a bad headache today. (CK) ; [S] · [T] Tom has a pounding headache. (CK); [S] · [T] Tom woke up with a headache. (Spamster); [S] · [T] You're giving me a headache. (CK); [S] · [T] Do you still ...
Sep 22, 2013 ... I have a terrible headache all day, everyday, without fail. It's got to the point now that I'm stressed; fed up, hardly sleeping, can't concentrate at uni or any time really. Please understand that the pain never goes, the headache ...
Jul 7, 2012 ... Headache bad!? I have a terrible headache seriously painful I took a 10mg norco what else can I do besides avoid annoying lights and sounds.any herbs or stretching ... 1 answer • 7 Mar 2012 ...
I have a headache · I have a terrible headache · I have a terrible migraine ( headache). I have headache / I am having a headache - grammar. I've had a headache for a week. - grammar ice cream headache · In the grip of a tension headache

Alternatives:

I have a bad headache
I have a splitting headache
I have a pounding headache
I have a throbbing headache
I have a migraine

have a serious painful headache

This phrase is grammatically correct but sounds less natural and is not commonly used in English.

While grammatically correct, this phrase is not commonly used in everyday English. It may sound awkward or overly formal.

Alternatives:

I have a severe headache
I have a splitting headache
I have a pounding headache
I have a throbbing headache
I have a migraine

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I have a terrible headache vs have a serious painful headache