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Gene93 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
To wear off
Hello,
Can we use "wear off" in collocation with "pain, love, feeling, etc." For example: "I loved her at first, but after a few years of marriage my love for her wore off." "Take this tablet and I assure you that the pain will have worn off by 7 am." "After the massage the numbness in my left shoulder was starting to wear off." Thank you. I was told that it cannot be used in collocation with love. Could you please tell me why?
Can we use "wear off" in collocation with "pain, love, feeling, etc." For example: "I loved her at first, but after a few years of marriage my love for her wore off." "Take this tablet and I assure you that the pain will have worn off by 7 am." "After the massage the numbness in my left shoulder was starting to wear off." Thank you. I was told that it cannot be used in collocation with love. Could you please tell me why?
Top answer
The second two are more common uses of "wear off", but I think the first one is acceptable too in colloquial language. Probably it would not fit formal writing.
- The second two are more common uses of "wear off", but I think the first one is acceptable too in colloquial language.
- Probably it would not fit formal writing.
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13 Answers
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The second two are more common uses of "wear off", but I think the first one is acceptable too in colloquial language. Probably it would not fit formal writing.
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Gene93As for the second sentence, can pain "fade away"?It's possible. However, it doesn't seem as common as "wear off".
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I think that pain usually goes away, no? Fear, love and hate can fade away however, can't they?
Thank you
Thank you
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I think that "wear off" has this negative connotation. Pain, the effect of something, numbness, can all wear off. I am getting the impression that it is always something unpleasant that wears off. Is that true in a way?
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Gene93I think that "wear off" has this negative connotation. Pain, the effect of something, numbness, can all wear off. I am getting the impression that it is always something unpleasant that wears off. Is that true in a way?Not always. Enthusiasm can wear off. Excitement can wear off. The beneficial effect of a drug can wear off. And so on.
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For me, "wear off" or "has worn off" seems to fit temporary feelings--both good and bad. So enthusiasm, excitement, and antidotes to pain can wear off but love is more spasmodic.
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wilpeterFor me, "wear off" or "has worn off" seems to fit temporary feelings--both good and bad. So enthusiasm, excitement, and antidotes to pain can wear off but love is more spasmodic.Did you mean less spasmodic?
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