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 • 966 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 [+]
Last updated: November 18, 2024

Jan 31, 2024 ... Client presents to emergency department and states, “I have a terrible headache.” Client reports having a headache for the past three days and the pain is ...
Translations in context of "I have a terrible headache" in English-Russian from Reverso Context: First, I have a terrible headache, which isn't normal.
Can you tell me how you feel? Sasha: Well, I have a terrible headache. Dr. Smith: Hmm…Anything else? Does your throat hurt?
Jan 26, 2022 ... You hop on Zoom and can say, “I have COVID,” “I have a cold,” or “I have a terrible headache,” but you can't say, “My uterine lining is ...
Jan 9, 2020 ... I have a terrible headache. I _____ do anything. View Solution.
Aug 20, 2013 ... I have bitten the right side of my tongue, I have a terrible headache and I am extremely nauseated. I am confused and sleepy after the ...
“I just thought 'Okay, it's a Tuesday afternoon, I'm at work and I have a terrible headache and need to go throw up.'” Then one day, during a bootcamp ...
Nov 9, 2024 ... extreme in degree, power, or effect I have a terrible headache. Synonyms & Similar Words. intense · intensive · fierce · ferocious · deep.
physiological/biological needs "I have a terrible headache. It's really splitting." belonging needs "It gets lonely in my apartment on the weekends.
A: Yes. I was on the porch, putting fabric on my dresser drawers and I did that about an hour and now I have a TERRIBLE 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