suffering
C1Formal to neutral. Common in academic, literary, medical, philosophical, and everyday contexts when discussing hardship.
Definition
Meaning
The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.
Broadly encompasses physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, or enduring adverse conditions. Can refer to the collective experience of hardship within a group.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a passive state of enduring something negative. Can be used as a mass noun (e.g., 'human suffering') or a count noun (e.g., 'the sufferings of war'). Carries a strong emotional weight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. 'Suffering' is used identically in core meaning.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in UK English in philosophical/religious contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly higher in US English in medical/psychological contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffering from [noun/phrase]suffering of [noun]suffering caused by [noun]suffering endured by [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a necessary evil/suffering”
- “to no end/suffering”
- “suffering in silence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in CSR contexts (e.g., 'addressing the suffering in communities').
Academic
Common in philosophy, ethics, medicine, history, sociology (e.g., 'the quantification of suffering').
Everyday
Used to describe personal or observed pain/hardship (e.g., 'the suffering of the refugees was evident').
Technical
Used in medical diagnostics (pain assessment), psychology, ethics, and law (e.g., 'infliction of unnecessary suffering').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is suffering terribly from arthritis.
- The region suffered widespread flooding last winter.
American English
- He's suffering from a bad case of the flu.
- The company suffered major losses in the third quarter.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a direct adverb; usually periphrastic) They looked on sufferingly as the house burned.
American English
- (Rare) He waited sufferingly for the test results.
adjective
British English
- The suffering patients were given priority.
- We must aid the suffering population.
American English
- Help was sent to the suffering animals after the hurricane.
- The report highlighted the suffering families in the inner city.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The medicine stopped the suffering.
- He saw the suffering of the hungry dog.
- The war caused a lot of suffering for ordinary people.
- She is suffering from a headache.
- The documentary aimed to raise awareness about the suffering endured by political prisoners.
- No one should have to live in constant pain and suffering.
- The ethical framework prioritizes the alleviation of unnecessary suffering in all sentient beings.
- His philosophical treatise explores the relationship between suffering, meaning, and human existence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'suffer' + 'ing' = the ongoing state of having to 'suffer' or bear something difficult.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUFFERING IS A BURDEN (to bear, to carry), SUFFERING IS A FORCE (to endure, to withstand), SUFFERING IS A JOURNEY (to go through).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'страдание' for minor inconveniences; 'suffering' is stronger. For mild discomfort, use 'discomfort' or 'trouble'. Beware of false friends with 'страдание' in poetic/religious contexts where 'suffering' is accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'suffering' for temporary minor pain (overuse). Confusing 'suffering from' (experiencing a condition) with 'suffering of' (the distress belonging to someone). Incorrect: 'I am suffering of a cold.' Correct: 'I am suffering from a cold.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'suffering'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it exclusively describes negative states of pain, distress, or hardship. It does not have positive connotations.
No, 'suffering' is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to suffer'. It functions as a noun or adjective. The verb form is 'suffer'.
'Pain' is more specific, often physical or acute. 'Suffering' is broader, can be physical or mental, and often implies duration and a deeper experience of distress. All pain can cause suffering, but not all suffering is solely physical pain (e.g., emotional suffering).
Both can be correct. 'Much suffering' treats it as an uncountable mass noun (common). 'Many sufferings' treats specific instances or types as countable (less common, more literary).
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