"the pain was agonizing" vs "I was agonizing in pain"

Question

"the pain was agonizing" vs "I was agonizing in pain"

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and contexts. 'I was agonizing in pain' implies that the speaker was experiencing intense suffering, while 'the pain was agonizing' suggests that the pain itself was causing extreme distress. The choice between the two depends on whether the focus is on the person experiencing the pain or the pain itself.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used when the focus is on the pain itself and how intense or unbearable it is.

Examples:

The pain was agonizing, making it hard to focus.
The pain was agonizing, causing tears to well up in her eyes.
The pain was agonizing, making every movement excruciating.

Alternatives:

The pain was excruciating.
The pain was unbearable.
The pain was intense.

This phrase is used when the focus is on the person experiencing the pain and the suffering they are going through.

Examples:

I was agonizing in pain after the accident.
She was agonizing in pain during labor.
He was agonizing in pain from the injury.

Alternatives:

I was in agonizing pain.
I was suffering in pain.
I was in excruciating pain.

Answer 1

the pain was agonizing

This phrase is correct and is used to describe pain that is causing extreme distress or suffering.

Answer 2

I was agonizing in pain

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express intense suffering experienced by the speaker.

"the pain was agonizing" vs "I was agonizing in pain"

the pain was agonizing

I was agonizing in pain

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