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B1 Verb (Present Participle) / Adjective #12 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

hurting

Top 12

At the A1 level, 'hurting' is a very useful word for talking about your body. It is one of the first words you learn to tell someone you are not feeling well. You use it with the word 'my' and a part of your body. For example, 'My arm is hurting' or 'My head is hurting.' It is a simple way to show where you feel pain. You also learn that 'hurting' is the '-ing' form of 'hurt.' This means the pain is happening right now. It is important to use 'is' or 'are' with it. You might hear a teacher ask, 'Are you hurting?' if you fall down on the playground. It is a kind word that people use to help each other. At this level, don't worry about big meanings like money or deep feelings. Just use it for physical pain that you feel at the moment. It helps you communicate your basic needs to doctors, parents, or teachers. Remember to point to the place that is hurting so people understand you better.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'hurting' for more than just physical pain. You might use it to describe a small emotional feeling, like being sad because a friend didn't play with you. You also learn to use it in questions more naturally. For example, 'Why is your leg hurting?' or 'Is your tooth still hurting?' You can also use it to talk about other people or animals. 'The dog's paw is hurting.' You begin to see 'hurting' as a way to describe a state that lasts for a little while. You also learn the difference between 'It hurts' and 'It is hurting.' 'It hurts' is a general fact, but 'It is hurting' emphasizes that you feel the pain right this second. You might also start to see the word in simple stories or songs. It is a very common word in English, so learning it well helps you understand how people talk about their feelings and their bodies in everyday life. You should practice using it with different body parts and in different tenses, like 'It was hurting yesterday.'

At the B1 level, 'hurting' becomes a much more flexible word. You are now expected to use it for emotional distress and economic situations. You might say, 'He is hurting after the loss of his pet,' showing that you understand deeper feelings. You also learn the idiomatic expression 'hurting for,' which means needing something very badly. For example, 'I am hurting for a vacation' or 'The team is hurting for a good striker.' This level requires you to understand the nuance between 'hurting' as a verb and as an adjective. You can describe a 'hurting economy' or a 'hurting heart.' You also start to use adverbs to show how much someone is hurting, such as 'badly,' 'deeply,' or 'really.' You should be able to distinguish between 'hurting' (active feeling) and 'hurt' (the state of being injured). For instance, 'My pride is hurting' vs 'I am hurt.' This is also the level where you use 'hurting' to describe the consequences of actions, like 'You are hurting your chances of getting the job by being late.'

At the B2 level, you should use 'hurting' with precision in various registers. You will encounter it in news reports about the economy or social issues. For example, 'The rising inflation is hurting middle-class families.' You understand that 'hurting' can be used transitively to describe causing harm to abstract things like reputations, chances, or relationships. You also use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'Having been hurting for weeks, he finally decided to see a specialist.' You can discuss the psychological implications of 'hurting' and how it affects behavior. You might analyze lyrics or literature where 'hurting' is a central theme. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in debates or essays to describe the impact of policies or events. You also recognize the subtle difference between 'hurting' and synonyms like 'suffering,' 'aching,' or 'distressed,' and you choose the most appropriate one for the context. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'hurting' to add emotional weight to your speaking and writing.

At the C1 level, your use of 'hurting' is sophisticated and nuanced. You recognize it as a powerful rhetorical tool. In a professional or academic setting, you might use it to describe the detrimental effects of a specific phenomenon: 'The lack of investment is hurting the long-term viability of the project.' You understand the metaphorical depth of the word, using it to describe systemic issues or cultural shifts. You can use 'hurting' in passive-like constructions or as a gerund in complex subject positions: 'The hurting of innocent bystanders is an unacceptable consequence of this policy.' You are also aware of the colloquial and slang uses of the word, even if you don't use them yourself, and you can interpret them based on the speaker's tone. You use 'hurting' to convey empathy in a way that is both professional and deeply human. You can distinguish between the literal and the figurative with ease, and you use the word to create vivid imagery in your creative or persuasive writing. Your understanding of the word's etymology and its place in the English lexicon is thorough.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'hurting.' You use it with a high degree of idiomaticity and stylistic flair. You might use it in a philosophical context to discuss the nature of human existence or the 'hurting' inherent in the human condition. You are adept at using the word in irony or sarcasm, or to understate a significant problem for rhetorical effect. You can analyze the use of 'hurting' in classic literature, noting how its meaning has evolved or how it is used to characterize a protagonist's internal struggle. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in legal, medical, or technical contexts where the specific type of 'hurting' (harm) must be clearly defined. You understand the subtle phonological emphasis that can change the word's impact in speech. Whether you are writing a complex policy brief or a moving piece of poetry, 'hurting' is a tool you use with absolute precision to convey exactly the right shade of distress, damage, or need.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

hurting en 30 secondes

Hurting describes an ongoing state of physical pain, emotional distress, or financial difficulty, emphasizing the continuous nature of the suffering or struggle.
It is the present participle of 'hurt' and can function as a verb in continuous tenses or as an adjective to describe a state.
Commonly used in medical, personal, and economic contexts to highlight vulnerability and the need for support, relief, or systemic change.
Includes the idiomatic expression 'hurting for,' which indicates a desperate need for resources like money, time, or specific assistance.

The word hurting is a versatile English term that functions primarily as the present participle of the verb 'hurt' or as an adjective. At its core, it describes the ongoing experience of distress, whether that distress is physical, emotional, or even economic. When we say someone is hurting, we are often highlighting the continuous nature of their suffering. It is not a fleeting moment of pain but a state of being that persists through time. This duration is what distinguishes 'hurting' from a simple 'hurt'. For instance, if you stub your toe, you might say it hurts, but if you have a chronic back condition, you might describe yourself as 'really hurting' today, implying a deeper, more sustained level of discomfort.

Physical Sensation: In a physical context, hurting refers to the active sensation of pain. It is used to describe everything from the dull ache of a muscle strain to the sharp, stinging sensation of a fresh wound. It is frequently used in medical settings where patients describe their symptoms to doctors, emphasizing the intensity and duration of their physical plight.

After running the marathon, my knees were hurting so badly that I could barely walk to the car.

Emotional Distress: Emotionally, hurting is perhaps even more common. It describes the state of grief, heartbreak, or psychological trauma. When a person is 'hurting inside,' they are carrying a weight of sadness or disappointment that isn't visible to the naked eye but is deeply felt. This usage is central to empathy and interpersonal relationships.

She was clearly hurting after the breakup, though she tried to put on a brave face for her friends.

Economic and Abstract Use: Metaphorically, the word extends to finances and organizations. If a company is 'hurting for cash,' it is experiencing a severe shortage of funds. If an industry is 'hurting,' it is struggling to survive due to market changes or external pressures. This abstract use personifies non-living entities to emphasize their vulnerability.

Small businesses are hurting because of the new tax regulations and the rising cost of materials.

I can tell you're hurting, and I want you to know that I am here to listen whenever you are ready.

The local economy is hurting after the main factory closed down last year.

Using 'hurting' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical roles as a continuous verb, a gerund, or an adjective. Because it is the '-ing' form of 'hurt', it inherently suggests an ongoing process. This makes it particularly effective for describing states that are currently unfolding or have been persisting for some time. When used as a verb, it often follows a form of 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were). For example, 'My back is hurting' describes a present sensation. If you use it as an adjective, it modifies a noun or follows a linking verb to describe a state of being, such as 'a hurting heart' or 'the hurting community'.

Transitive vs. Intransitive: In its transitive form, 'hurting' requires an object—someone or something that is receiving the pain. 'The cat is hurting the furniture' (by scratching it). In its intransitive form, which is much more common in daily speech, it describes the subject's own feeling. 'I am hurting' means the speaker is the one in pain. Distinguishing between these two is vital for clarity.

Stop hurting your brother and apologize for taking his toys without asking.

The 'Hurting For' Construction: A specific idiomatic use of 'hurting' involves the preposition 'for'. When you are 'hurting for' something, you are in desperate need of it. This is frequently applied to money, time, or resources. 'We are hurting for volunteers' implies that the lack of volunteers is causing significant problems or 'pain' for the organization.

The charity is hurting for donations this holiday season due to the economic downturn.

Emotional Nuance: When describing emotions, 'hurting' is often paired with adverbs like 'deeply', 'really', or 'badly' to emphasize the scale of the distress. It is a word that invites empathy, as it suggests a vulnerability that the subject is currently navigating. It is less clinical than 'suffering' and more personal than 'aching'.

You could see in his eyes that he was hurting deeply after the loss of his childhood home.

Is your stomach still hurting, or did the medicine finally start to work?

By hurting others, you are only showing the world how much you are hurting yourself.

The word 'hurting' is ubiquitous in English-speaking cultures, appearing in a wide array of contexts from the most intimate conversations to national news broadcasts. Its versatility allows it to bridge the gap between physical reality and abstract concepts. In daily life, you will hear it most often in the context of health and well-being. Parents ask their children, 'Where are you hurting?' when they fall. Friends check in on each other after a tragedy, asking, 'Are you still hurting?' This word is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence and caregiving, providing a simple yet profound way to acknowledge another person's struggle.

In Music and Pop Culture: Songwriters frequently use 'hurting' because of its rhythmic quality and its ability to evoke immediate emotion. From blues and country music to modern pop, the theme of 'hurting' over a lost love is a staple. It resonates with audiences because everyone has experienced that specific type of emotional ache. It's a word that carries a certain weight in lyrics, often emphasized to draw out the listener's sympathy.

The lyrics of the song were all about hurting and finding the strength to move on from the past.

In Financial News: In the world of business and economics, 'hurting' is used to describe sectors that are underperforming or facing crises. You might hear a news anchor say, 'The retail sector is hurting due to the rise of e-commerce.' This usage humanizes the economy, making complex financial data more relatable by framing it in terms of pain and health.

With interest rates rising, many first-time homebuyers are hurting and delaying their purchases.

In Healthcare: Nurses and doctors use 'hurting' to assess pain levels. A common question is, 'On a scale of one to ten, how much are you hurting?' This helps medical professionals quantify a subjective experience. It is also used in physical therapy to identify which movements cause distress to the body.

The patient mentioned that his lower back had been hurting since he lifted the heavy box.

Even the most successful celebrities are hurting behind the scenes sometimes; fame doesn't cure sadness.

The tourism industry is hurting in regions affected by the recent natural disasters.

While 'hurting' seems straightforward, learners often encounter pitfalls regarding its grammatical structure and its distinction from the adjective 'hurt'. One of the most frequent errors is confusing the active state of 'hurting' with the passive state of 'being hurt'. If you say 'I am hurting,' you are describing your internal feeling. If you say 'I am hurt,' you are usually describing the result of an external action. Another common mistake involves the misuse of 'hurting' as a transitive verb without an object, which can lead to ambiguity in certain contexts.

Hurting vs. Hurt: Many learners say 'I am hurting' when they mean 'I am hurt' (injured). While 'hurting' can describe the sensation of an injury, 'hurt' is the standard adjective for the injury itself. 'My arm is hurting' (sensation) vs. 'My arm is hurt' (condition). Using 'hurting' implies the pain is active and pulsing at this very moment.

Incorrect: I am hurting by his words. Correct: I am hurt by his words (or) His words are hurting me.

Misplacing the Object: When using 'hurting' to describe causing pain to others, the object must be clear. Saying 'He is hurting' when you mean 'He is hurting someone else' changes the meaning entirely. In the first case, he is the victim; in the second, he is the perpetrator. Always ensure the sentence structure reflects who is feeling the pain.

The child was hurting the kitten, so his mother had to intervene immediately.

Overusing for Minor Issues: Native speakers often reserve 'hurting' for significant or ongoing pain. Using it for a tiny scratch might sound dramatic. For minor, temporary sensations, 'it stings' or 'it smarts' might be more appropriate. 'Hurting' carries a weight of genuine distress.

If you say you are hurting for a coffee, it's a hyperbolic way of saying you really want one.

Are you hurting anyone's feelings by making that joke? Think before you speak.

The athlete was hurting after the collision but refused to leave the field.

English offers a rich palette of words to describe pain, and choosing the right one can significantly alter the tone of your message. While 'hurting' is a general-purpose term, other words provide more specific information about the type, intensity, or location of the distress. Understanding these nuances helps in expressing yourself more precisely and empathetically. For instance, 'aching' suggests a dull, continuous pain, while 'throbbing' suggests a pain that beats like a heart. 'Suffering' is much broader and often implies a long-term or existential struggle.

Hurting vs. Aching: 'Aching' is usually used for muscles or joints after exercise, or for a deep, lingering emotional sadness (an 'aching heart'). 'Hurting' is more versatile and can describe sharper or more acute sensations. You might have an 'aching' back, but if you hit it against a door, it is 'hurting'.

My legs are aching from the hike, but my blister is really hurting.

Hurting vs. Suffering: 'Suffering' is a more formal and intense word. It is often used for chronic illnesses or large-scale human tragedies. 'Hurting' is more personal and immediate. You might say a nation is 'suffering' from famine, but an individual is 'hurting' because they lost their job.

The community is suffering through the drought, and many families are hurting financially.

Hurting vs. Struggling: In economic contexts, 'struggling' and 'hurting' are often interchangeable. However, 'struggling' implies an active effort to overcome the difficulty, while 'hurting' focuses purely on the negative state or the damage being done.

The new startup is struggling to find investors, and their reputation is hurting as a result.

I'm hurting for some peace and quiet after this long, noisy day at the office.

The economy isn't just slowing down; it's hurting the most vulnerable people in our society.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

In the 13th century, 'hurt' was often used to describe a horse stumbling. The emotional meaning of 'hurting' didn't become common until much later.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈhɜː.tɪŋ/

US /ˈhɝː.t̬ɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: HUR-ting.

Rime avec

blurting shirting skirting alerting asserting diverting converting perverting

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'g' at the end too harshly.
Forgetting the 'h' sound at the beginning.
Confusing the 'ur' sound with 'or' or 'ar'.
Not using the flap 't' in American English.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts.

Écriture 3/5

Requires care with transitive vs intransitive use.

Expression orale 2/5

Very common and useful for daily communication.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though 't' can be flapped.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

hurt pain feel body bad

Apprends ensuite

suffering aching distressed detrimental scarcity

Avancé

excruciating debilitating deleterious aggravating

Grammaire à connaître

Present Participle as Adjective

The hurting child cried for his mother.

Continuous Aspect

I am hurting right now.

Gerund as Subject

Hurting others will not make you happy.

Transitive Verb Usage

The shoes are hurting my feet.

Intransitive Verb Usage

My head is hurting.

Exemples par niveau

My leg is hurting today.

Ma jambe me fait mal aujourd'hui.

Present continuous use of 'hurting'.

Are you hurting?

Est-ce que tu as mal ?

Question form with auxiliary 'are'.

His arm is hurting after the fall.

Son bras lui fait mal après la chute.

Subject + is + hurting.

My head is hurting a little.

J'ai un peu mal à la tête.

Using 'a little' as an adverbial phrase.

Is your hand hurting?

Est-ce que ta main te fait mal ?

Interrogative sentence.

The cat's tail is hurting.

La queue du chat lui fait mal.

Possessive noun + body part.

My feet are hurting from these shoes.

Mes pieds me font mal à cause de ces chaussures.

Plural subject 'feet' with 'are'.

Stop! You are hurting me.

Arrête ! Tu me fais mal.

Transitive use with object 'me'.

I think my tooth is hurting because of the candy.

Je pense que ma dent me fait mal à cause des bonbons.

Expressing cause with 'because of'.

She was hurting after she ran in the park.

Elle avait mal après avoir couru dans le parc.

Past continuous tense.

Why is your back hurting again?

Pourquoi ton dos te fait-il encore mal ?

Wh- question with 'again'.

He is hurting, so he needs to rest.

Il a mal, donc il a besoin de se reposer.

Using 'so' to show consequence.

My eyes are hurting from the computer screen.

Mes yeux me font mal à cause de l'écran d'ordinateur.

Plural subject with prepositional phrase.

The bird is hurting its wing.

L'oiseau se fait mal à l'aile.

Transitive use with possessive 'its'.

Are they hurting after the long walk?

Ont-ils mal après la longue marche ?

Third person plural question.

I am not hurting anymore.

Je n'ai plus mal.

Negative form with 'anymore'.

The company is hurting for new ideas.

L'entreprise est en manque de nouvelles idées.

Idiomatic 'hurting for' meaning 'in need of'.

He is still hurting from the breakup last month.

Il souffre encore de la rupture le mois dernier.

Emotional use of 'hurting'.

You are hurting your reputation by lying.

Tu nuis à ta réputation en mentant.

Transitive use with abstract object.

The local shops are hurting because of the new mall.

Les commerces locaux souffrent à cause du nouveau centre commercial.

Economic use of 'hurting'.

I'm hurting for cash until my next paycheck.

Je suis à court d'argent jusqu'à ma prochaine paie.

Colloquial 'hurting for cash'.

Is she hurting deeply, or is she just tired?

Souffre-t-elle profondément, ou est-elle juste fatiguée ?

Using adverb 'deeply' for emphasis.

We are hurting for volunteers for the charity event.

Nous manquons de bénévoles pour l'événement caritatif.

Collective subject with 'hurting for'.

By ignoring him, you are hurting his feelings.

En l'ignorant, tu blesses ses sentiments.

Gerund phrase as the means.

The tourism industry is hurting due to the travel restrictions.

L'industrie du tourisme souffre en raison des restrictions de voyage.

Formal economic context.

He didn't want to admit he was hurting inside.

Il ne voulait pas admettre qu'il souffrait intérieurement.

Noun clause as object of 'admit'.

The high interest rates are hurting small businesses across the country.

Les taux d'intérêt élevés nuisent aux petites entreprises dans tout le pays.

Active voice describing systemic impact.

Are you hurting for time, or can we talk for a minute?

Es-tu pressé par le temps, ou pouvons-nous parler une minute ?

Idiomatic use for time management.

She was hurting so much that she couldn't focus on her work.

Elle souffrait tellement qu'elle ne pouvait pas se concentrer sur son travail.

So... that construction.

The team's performance is hurting their chances of making the playoffs.

La performance de l'équipe nuit à ses chances d'accéder aux séries éliminatoires.

Describing detrimental effects on future outcomes.

Many families are hurting financially after the factory closure.

De nombreuses familles souffrent financièrement après la fermeture de l'usine.

Adverb 'financially' modifying 'hurting'.

You could tell the athlete was hurting, but he kept playing.

On pouvait dire que l'athlète souffrait, mais il a continué à jouer.

Past continuous in a narrative context.

The lack of transparency is hurting the public's trust in the government.

Le manque de transparence nuit à la confiance du public envers le gouvernement.

Abstract transitive use in political discourse.

She has been hurting for a sense of belonging her entire life.

Elle a eu soif d'un sentiment d'appartenance toute sa vie.

Present perfect continuous with 'for' (desire/need).

The systemic issues are hurting the most vulnerable members of society.

Les problèmes systémiques nuisent aux membres les plus vulnérables de la société.

Describing societal impact.

His pride was hurting more than his physical injuries.

Son orgueil souffrait plus que ses blessures physiques.

Comparative structure with abstract subject.

The economy is hurting, but the stock market remains surprisingly resilient.

L'économie souffre, mais le marché boursier reste étonnamment résistant.

Contrastive conjunction 'but'.

Is the constant criticism hurting your creative process?

La critique constante nuit-elle à ton processus créatif ?

Interrogative about psychological impact.

They were hurting for resources during the peak of the crisis.

Ils manquaient de ressources au plus fort de la crise.

Past continuous with 'for' (scarcity).

The hurting of the environment is a price we can no longer afford to pay.

La dégradation de l'environnement est un prix que nous ne pouvons plus nous permettre de payer.

Gerund used as a noun subject.

The existential hurting he felt was beyond the reach of conventional therapy.

La souffrance existentielle qu'il ressentait dépassait la portée de la thérapie conventionnelle.

Using 'hurting' as a substantive noun.

The policy, while well-intentioned, is hurting the very people it aimed to help.

La politique, bien qu'intentionnée, nuit aux personnes mêmes qu'elle visait à aider.

Parenthetical concession 'while well-intentioned'.

Her soul was hurting with a grief that words could not encompass.

Son âme souffrait d'un chagrin que les mots ne pouvaient englober.

Poetic and metaphorical usage.

The industry is hurting for innovation, trapped in outdated paradigms.

L'industrie a grand besoin d'innovation, piégée dans des paradigmes obsolètes.

Advanced metaphorical use of 'hurting for'.

The constant 'hurting' of the truth in political discourse leads to cynicism.

La constante 'altération' de la vérité dans le discours politique mène au cynisme.

Metaphorical transitive use for 'distorting'.

He was hurting for a sign that his efforts were not in vain.

Il cherchait désespérément un signe que ses efforts n'étaient pas vains.

Expressing deep psychological longing.

The collective hurting of a nation can take generations to heal.

La souffrance collective d'une nation peut prendre des générations à guérir.

Gerund as a collective noun.

Is the pursuit of profit hurting our fundamental human values?

La recherche du profit nuit-elle à nos valeurs humaines fondamentales ?

Philosophical inquiry.

Collocations courantes

really hurting

hurting inside

hurting for cash

deeply hurting

stop hurting

hurting for certain

badly hurting

hurting feelings

hurting for volunteers

physically hurting

Phrases Courantes

A world of hurting

Hurting for a...

Hurting bad

Stop hurting yourself

Who are you hurting?

The hurting heart

Hurting for business

Are you still hurting?

Hurting for time

No one is hurting

Souvent confondu avec

hurting vs hurt

'Hurt' is often the past tense or a general adjective, while 'hurting' is continuous.

hurting vs aching

'Aching' is a duller, more constant pain than 'hurting'.

hurting vs harming

'Harming' is always transitive (doing damage), while 'hurting' can be how you feel.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Hurting for certain"

To be in undeniable pain or trouble.

After that tackle, he was hurting for certain.

Informal

"In a world of hurting"

Facing a lot of problems or severe pain.

The company will be in a world of hurting if this deal fails.

Neutral

"Hurting for it"

Desperately wanting something, often a vice.

He hasn't had a cigarette all day and he's hurting for it.

Informal

"Hurting the bottom line"

Negatively affecting a company's profits.

These new regulations are really hurting the bottom line.

Business

"Hurting for a squirt"

Very rare slang for needing a drink or a specific resource.

The garden is hurting for a squirt of water.

Slang

"Hurting units"

A sports term for a team with many injuries.

The defense is a hurting unit this week.

Sports

"Hurting for a beating"

Acting in a way that invites trouble or punishment.

With that attitude, he's hurting for a beating.

Informal/Aggressive

"Hurting for love"

Feeling a deep void or loneliness.

She's been hurting for love since her parents passed away.

Literary

"Hurting for a hero"

Needing someone to save a situation.

The city was hurting for a hero during the crisis.

Dramatic

"Hurting for words"

Being unable to express oneself due to emotion.

He was hurting for words at his daughter's wedding.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

hurting vs hurt

Both relate to pain.

'Hurting' is the active feeling or process; 'hurt' is the result or the general state.

I am hurt (injured) vs I am hurting (feeling pain now).

hurting vs hearting

Sounds similar.

'Hearting' is not a standard word (except in slang for 'liking'); 'hurting' is about pain.

N/A

hurting vs hating

Similar sound.

'Hating' is about intense dislike; 'hurting' is about suffering.

I am hating this weather vs I am hurting from the cold.

hurting vs heating

One letter difference.

'Heating' is about temperature; 'hurting' is about pain.

The heating is on vs My head is hurting.

hurting vs hunting

Similar spelling.

'Hunting' is searching for or killing animals; 'hurting' is feeling pain.

They are hunting deer vs My legs are hurting.

Structures de phrases

My [body part] is hurting.

My toe is hurting.

Is your [body part] hurting?

Is your ear hurting?

I am hurting for [noun].

I am hurting for a break.

Stop hurting [object].

Stop hurting the dog.

[Subject] is hurting [abstract noun].

The scandal is hurting his career.

The hurting of [noun] is [adjective].

The hurting of the economy is inevitable.

[Subject] has been hurting since [event].

She has been hurting since the accident.

[Abstract noun] is hurting for [abstract noun].

The nation is hurting for leadership.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very High

Erreurs courantes

I hurting. → I am hurting.
You need the auxiliary verb 'am' for the present continuous.
My head hurts me. → My head is hurting.
While 'My head hurts' is okay, 'hurts me' is redundant. 'My head is hurting' is better for continuous pain.
He is hurting for his exam. → He is worried about his exam.
'Hurting for' means needing something, not being worried about something.
The news is hurting to me. → The news is hurting me.
'Hurting' is a transitive verb; you don't need the preposition 'to'.
I am hurting by the accident. → I was hurt in the accident.
Use the passive 'was hurt' for the result of an event.

Astuces

Continuous Tense

Always use an auxiliary verb like 'am', 'is', or 'are' when using 'hurting' as a verb.

Hurting for...

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize a desperate need for something.

Showing Empathy

Asking 'Are you hurting?' is a gentle way to check on someone's emotional state.

Economic Impact

Use 'hurting' to describe how policies affect specific groups of people.

Avoid Repetition

Switch between 'hurting', 'aching', and 'suffering' to keep your writing interesting.

Pronunciation

In casual speech, the 'g' is often dropped: 'I'm hurtin'.' Use this for a more natural sound.

Describing Pain

Be specific about where you are hurting when talking to a doctor.

Internal Pain

'Hurting inside' is a common way to describe hidden emotional struggles.

Personification

You can say a 'hurting planet' to talk about environmental issues.

Hurt vs Hurting

Remember: 'I am hurt' (state) vs 'I am hurting' (active feeling).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'HURT-ING'. The 'ING' stands for 'Is Now Going on'. If you are hurting, the pain IS NOW GOING on.

Association visuelle

Imagine a pulsing red heart or a throbbing thumb. The pulse represents the '-ing' continuous action.

Word Web

Physical Pain Emotional Grief Financial Loss Continuous Action Need/Scarcity Empathy Injury Distress

Défi

Try to write three sentences using 'hurting': one about a body part, one about a feeling, and one about a business.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle English word 'hurten', which meant to stumble, strike, or injure. It has roots in Old French 'hurter', meaning to ram or strike against.

Sens originel : The original sense was more about physical impact or striking something, rather than just the feeling of pain.

Germanic/Romance hybrid (Old French influence on Middle English).

Contexte culturel

When someone says they are hurting, it is usually a sign to offer support rather than advice.

It is very common to use 'hurting' to ask for help or to show sympathy.

The song 'Everybody Hurts' by R.E.M. Johnny Cash's cover of 'Hurt'. Common news headline: 'Middle Class Hurting Under New Budget'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Medical

Where are you hurting?
It's been hurting for days.
Is it hurting more now?
Does this stop the hurting?

Emotional

I'm hurting inside.
I know you're hurting.
It's okay to be hurting.
He's hurting after the loss.

Financial

The business is hurting.
We're hurting for cash.
The economy is hurting.
Prices are hurting consumers.

Sports

He's playing while hurting.
The team is hurting for players.
That loss is hurting their rank.
Is his ankle still hurting?

Relationships

You're hurting my feelings.
Stop hurting each other.
Are we hurting our future?
The silence is hurting us.

Amorces de conversation

"I noticed you've been a bit quiet lately; are you hurting or just tired?"

"My feet are absolutely hurting after that walk! How are yours feeling?"

"Do you think the new tax laws are really hurting small businesses in our area?"

"What do you do when you're hurting emotionally to feel better?"

"Is the local sports team hurting for a new coach, in your opinion?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time when you were hurting physically but had to keep going.

Reflect on a situation where you accidentally ended up hurting someone's feelings.

How is the current global situation hurting or helping your personal goals?

Describe a place that feels like it's 'hurting' and needs some care.

What are you 'hurting for' most in your life right now? (Time, money, peace?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, but it means you are actively doing something to cause pain to your leg right now. If you just feel pain, say 'My leg is hurting'.

It is an informal way to say you are very low on money and need some quickly.

It can be both. In 'I am hurting,' it is a verb. In 'The hurting industry,' it is an adjective.

Yes, especially when describing the negative impact of economic factors on a sector.

'Aching' is usually a dull, steady pain. 'Hurting' can be sharp, emotional, or financial.

Yes, metaphorically. 'The car's engine is hurting' means it's in bad condition.

Use 'Is' or 'Are'. 'Are you hurting?' or 'Is your arm hurting?'

No, it very often refers to emotional sadness or financial difficulty.

Words like 'healing,' 'thriving,' or 'prospering' are common opposites.

Yes, this is a transitive use meaning something is causing you pain.