Ache/hurt/pain
Ache (verb) meaning that a part of your body hurts in a continuous and dull way. Ache (noun) referring to a continuous dull pain. This word is usually used in combination with the part of body that is in pain.
- Stomach ache, toothache, headache, or my stomach aches.
Hurt (verb transitive and intransitive) to cause physical pain to yourself/somebody. This verb doesn’t give information on the type of pain/ache it only explains that somebody is in a certain degree of pain or that somebody/something is causing it.
- Stop! You’re hurting me!
- Yesterday I fell over. Now my leg hurts/I hurt my leg.
Pain (noun) Not usually used as a verb. Meaning referring to physical suffering in general, often more severe than ‘ache’, used with parts of the body. e.g. pain in my leg, arm, shoulder etc.
- He was clearly in pain.
- This should help relieve the pain.