have a sore throat

Meaning

This expression means to feel pain, irritation, or scratchiness in your throat, usually because of a cold, flu, or allergies. It is a very common way to describe this physical symptom to doctors, family, or coworkers.

Examples

• I can't sing today because I have a sore throat.

  I can't sing today because I have a sore throat.

• If you have a sore throat, drinking warm tea with honey might help.

  If you have a sore throat, drinking warm tea with honey might help.

• She woke up with a sore throat and a slight headache.

  She woke up with a sore throat and a slight headache.

• Do you have a sore throat, or is it just a dry cough?

  Do you have a sore throat, or is it just a dry cough?

• He called in sick because he has a sore throat and can't speak well.

  He called in sick because he has a sore throat and can't speak well.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a throat pain.

  ✓ I have a sore throat.

  While 'throat pain' is grammatically understandable, native English speakers almost always use the set phrase 'sore throat' to describe this condition.

• ✗ My throat is painful.

  ✓ My throat is sore.

  'Painful' sounds overly formal or clinical in daily conversation. 'Sore' is the natural adjective to use here.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I think I'm getting sick; I ___ and it hurts to swallow.

  💡 Mentioning pain in the throat area.

  Show answer

  have a sore throat

• Does she ___? She's been drinking hot water all morning.

  💡 A common symptom of a cold that makes swallowing hurt.

  Show answer

  have a sore throat