pain or pains?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

It’s “No pain, no gain”, or “No pains, no gains?”

Thanks.

2

Hi,

‘Pain’ can be used as an abstract noun and also as a countable noun. The same is true with many nouns associated with feelings and emotions. The expression you have quoted uses ‘pain’ and ‘gain’ in an abstract sense and so both are singular.

Alan

3

Why is it that I can find them both online?