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 #2 (permalink) Thu Apr 08, 2004 20:07 pm Ache vs. pain |
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Hi,
Ache is precise ie toothache headache but pain is more general.
Alan
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Apr 19, 2006 20:31 pm Ache and pain |
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| For me an ache is a milder form of pain. An ache you could just deal with, a pain is something that is going to require attention. |
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Seeemilywrite
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Apr 19, 2006 21:56 pm Ache and pain |
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Hmmmm....
I've got a challenge for the native speakers here. :wink:
Which sentence would a doctor find more extreme?
1. Doctor, I've got a severe backache.
2. Doctor, I've got severe back pain.
Or would the two be the same here?
Amy
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Yankee
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| #5 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:17 am Ache and pain |
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| Yankee wrote: |
1. Doctor, I've got a severe backache.
2. Doctor, I've got severe back pain. |
To me the pain sounds sharper, and the ache sounds duller. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #6 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:54 am Ache/pain |
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I think I'll stick to my original explanation of two years ago:
Ache is exact and pain is general. After all an ache in the neck is different from a pain in the neck, if you get my drift.
Alan
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| #7 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:10 am Ache and pain |
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Thanks, guys.
Yes, I also think "ache" is more specific/localized. As to the severity of an ache, maybe I'm just overly sensitive as a result of my last toothache. :wink:
Amy
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Yankee
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| #8 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:40 am Ache and pain |
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As a result?
Don't I have to use the "in result " form?
(I like as a result better)
Spencer |
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Spencer
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| #9 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:43 am Ache and pain |
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| spencer wrote: |
As a result?
Don't I have to use the "in result " form? |
"In result of" is not really correct English. If you google it, you find very few examples, and a lot of them are in English written in places like Poland and Bulgaria. We generally say "as a result of". |
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Jamie (K)
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| #10 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:49 am Ache/pain |
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| Alan wrote: |
I think I'll stick to my original explanation of two years ago:
Ache is exact and pain is general. After all an ache in the neck is different from a pain in the neck, if you get my drift. |
From the Oxford American Dictionary:
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ache
a continuous or prolonged dull pain in a part of one's body : the ache in her head worsened.
[in sing. ] figurative an emotion experienced with painful or bittersweet intensity : an ache in her heart.
pain
1 physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury : she's in great pain | those who suffer from back pain.
• a feeling of marked discomfort in a particular part of the body : he had severe pains in his stomach | chest pains.
• mental suffering or distress : the pain of loss.
• (also pain in the neck or vulgar slang pain in the a**) [in sing. ] informal an annoying or tedious person or thing : she's a pain.
2 ( pains) careful effort; great care or trouble : she took pains to see that everyone ate well | he is at pains to point out that he isn't like that. |
According to this dictionary, ache indicates a dull pain that is continuous. The word can also be used metaphorically. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #11 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 13:52 pm Ache and pain |
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Hi !
Thanks for the various ache + pain input. Although I'd agree that an 'ache' would generally be used for "less severe pain" and is also more "specific", I just can't help but think that that's just a bit too general.
My last toothache was anything but dull. (It was, however, continuous and localized.)
But I guess I'm just being a pain. :wink:
Hi Spencer
'As a result of' is a standard phrase in my neck of the woods. :D
Amy
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| #12 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 15:01 pm Ache and pain |
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My neck of the woods?
Now you got me!
I have no clue what that phrase could mean at all!
In my NECK of the WOODS?
Jeeez! :) |
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Spencer
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| #13 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 15:28 pm Ache and pain |
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Hi Spencer
Oops! Sorry about that.
"Neck of the woods" is an informal idiom for "area/region/neighborhood/vicinity". It's well-known in the US, but I'm not sure about Britain....
Amy
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| #14 (permalink) Thu Apr 20, 2006 16:21 pm Ache and pain |
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Thanks, so it's your area.
But why?
I mean, why is that?
Does anyone know it? |
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Spencer
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| #15 (permalink) Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:45 am Ache and pain |
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| Pain is sharp pain and could be sudden while ache is prolonged. |
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| Preposition "for or to" - DIE FOR and DIE TO | PLACING ADVERBS and PHRASAL VERBS |
