afflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'afflict' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'afflict' to describe when something bad or unpleasant affects a person or situation. Example sentence: The storm afflicted the small town, causing significant damage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the power of a poisonous legacy does not afflict Labour alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

That in itself presents them with a tricky dilemma, because playing for a draw is a dangerous game, especially if Petr Cech has another one of the brain melts that only seem to afflict him when playing for his country.

The Guardian - Sport

And it would give blacks a leader whose near-mythical reputation had hoisted him above the rivalries and dogmas that afflict so many of his followers.

The Economist

Many of the troubles that afflict public-sector banks, including political interference, a lack of talent in the boardroom and the herd mentality that encourages them to charge into the same bad bets, stem from majority state ownership (see article).

The Economist

There are very few such countries, he adds.Questioned about Russia's problems, Mr Ivanov tends to produce a litany of familiar answers: they come from outside, they afflict other countries too, or they are not really problems at all.

The Economist

Many of the ailments that afflict the big drug firms are a result of changes in the industry that began in the early 1990s.

The Economist

But amid the ruin and violence that afflict the city, they seem more like a cruel joke, for almost nobody has a telephone.Over the decade since Russian troops invaded the rebellious republic in December 1994, tens of thousands of people have been killed in Chechnya.

The Economist

Its announcement that it would delay repayment of the debts of Dubai World, a vast government-owned conglomerate, swept through global markets like one of the blinding sandstorms that occasionally afflict the emirate, obscuring the gleam of its skyscrapers.Like those storms, Dubai's announcement was so damaging because it reduced visibility.

The Economist

Funding to study rare diseases that afflict the very poor is notoriously hard to come by (what little there is tends to come from armies).

The Economist

One of the reasons why Greenlanders need Danish subsidies is the social problems (including poor health and bad school results) that afflict so many indigenous groups in poorer places.

The Economist

He said he heard a message from voters but also from " the two-thirds of voters who chose not to participate in the process yesterday .That is perilously close to politics by telepathy: a lethal delusion that can afflict embattled leaders.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afflict" to describe situations where something causes significant and prolonged suffering, whether physical, emotional, or societal. This word often implies a sense of helplessness or inevitability in the face of the adversity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "afflict" with "affect". "Afflict" means to cause suffering, while "affect" means to influence or produce a change in something. For example, say "The disease afflicted the population", not "The disease affected the population" if you mean to convey that the disease caused suffering.

Linguistic Context

Afflict functions primarily as a verb. It describes the action of something (like a disease, hardship, or negative influence) causing pain, suffering, or distress to someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "afflict" is a verb used to describe the action of causing suffering or distress. Ludwig AI confirms that "afflict" is correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in neutral to formal contexts, especially in News & Media. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing "afflict" with "affect". Consider using alternative phrases such as "plague" or "cause suffering to" to provide nuanced meaning to your writing. Be sure to analyze each alternative if the message to be communicated is the most suitable in that situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plague

Suggests a persistent and widespread affliction, often used metaphorically.

scourge

Implies a severe affliction or punishment, often on a large scale.

cause suffering to

Emphasizes the act of causing suffering rather than the state of being afflicted.

torment

Indicates severe physical or mental suffering.

cause distress to

Focuses on emotional or mental anguish rather than physical pain.

beset

Describes being persistently troubled or harassed.

trouble

A more general term indicating a source of difficulty or worry.

inflict pain on

Highlights the deliberate act of causing pain or suffering.

burden

Implies a heavy load or responsibility that causes hardship.

oppress

Suggests unjust or cruel exercise of power or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "afflict" in a sentence?

The word "afflict" is used to describe the act of causing pain or suffering to someone or something. For example, "The drought afflicted the region's farmers".

What can I say instead of "afflict"?

You can use alternatives like "plague", "trouble", or "burden" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "afflict" or "affect"?

"Afflict" means to cause suffering or distress, whereas "affect" means to have an influence on something. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "afflict" and "infect"?

"Afflict" describes causing pain or suffering in a general sense, while "infect" specifically refers to the transmission of a disease-causing agent. Therefore, while a disease can "afflict" a population, a virus "infects" individuals.