Pain · Health
a dull ache
mild ongoing pain
A dull ache is a continuous but not very sharp pain.
This vs that
I've got a dull ache in my knee.
I've got a sharp pain in my knee.
Hear it in real life
Is it a sharp pain?
No, more of a dull ache that won't go away.
I've had a dull ache in my lower back since I moved house.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
People normally name the type and location of the pain directly; the stiff version sounds clinical.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: I have a dull pain on my back since Monday.
Say: I've had a dull ache in my back since Monday.
Use 'ache' for this ongoing pain and 'in' for the body area.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
a dull ache in ___
I've got a dull ache in my shoulder.
She complained of a dull ache in her knee.
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about pain.
be in agony
I was in agony after standing all day.
ease the pain
A hot bath usually eases the pain.
Pain words
Health · Pain: the words around “a dull ache”.
More connectionsMore pain words7
Your turn: say it out loud
I've got a dull ache in my back.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
a dull ache
mild ongoing pain
“I've had a dull ache in my lower back since I moved house.”
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