afflicted at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afflicted at" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct preposition to use with "afflicted" is typically "by" or "with." Example: "He was afflicted by a rare disease that left him unable to walk."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He often met the afflicted at a streetcar station by the school.

The New York Times

Funny, beautiful and fragile, she was fiery but afflicted, at times laid up by illness and often exhausted by housekeeping.

The New York Times - Books

One aspect those studies wanted to determine was whether men and women were afflicted at different rates.

The New York Times - Arts

Keller was afflicted at the age of 19 months with an illness (possibly scarlet fever) that left her blind and deaf.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only 5% of the population are reckoned to be afflicted at any one time, but in movies the proportion seems higher.

The Guardian - Film

A 1931 editorial in The New York Times observed: "Ours is a utilitarian age, of course, and one afflicted at the moment with a disease called a Depression.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He promised prosperity, along with the gift of afflicting at a glance.

The New Yorker

Damaging drought afflicts at least half the area about once every three or four years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is thought to afflict at least 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States.

The New York Times - Health

With its episodes of rapid and irregular heartbeats, the condition — atrial fibrillation — afflicts at least 2.2 million people in the United States, according to government estimates.

The New York Times - Health

While outdoor air pollution gets some attention from the public and decision-makers, indoor air pollution, which afflicts at least two-thirds of Indian homes, remains neglected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "afflicted at" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "afflicted by" or "suffering from" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "afflicted" with the preposition "at". Remember to use "afflicted by" or "afflicted with" instead. For example, say "He was afflicted by a rare disease" instead of "He was afflicted at a rare disease".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afflicted at" functions incorrectly as a verb phrase aiming to describe a state of being affected. Standard English dictates using "afflicted by" or "afflicted with". Ludwig AI confirms that the use of "at" is not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while examples of "afflicted at" can be found, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct prepositions to use are "by" or "with", as Ludwig AI highlights. Alternatives like "suffering from" or "stricken with" are recommended for clarity and correctness. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, but its grammatical status suggests avoiding it in formal writing. Using "afflicted at" can detract from the message, as it is not widely accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from

This alternative focuses on the experience of enduring a negative condition, differing by using "from" instead of "at".

stricken with

This alternative implies a sudden and severe impact, substituting "stricken" for "afflicted" and "with" for "at".

affected by

This option uses a more general term, "affected", to indicate influence or impact, with "by" as the preposition.

troubled by

This alternative suggests being bothered or disturbed by something, differing in connotation and preposition.

plagued by

This implies a persistent and troublesome issue, using a different verb and preposition.

burdened with

This suggests a heavy load or responsibility caused by the affliction, using a different verb and preposition.

beset by

This alternative indicates being persistently attacked or troubled, using a different verb and preposition.

hampered by

This suggests being hindered or impeded by something, altering the focus to the consequences of the affliction.

impaired by

This alternative focuses on diminished function or ability as a result of the affliction.

impacted by

This option is a more neutral way of saying affected and it's focused on consequences of the affliction.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use the word "afflicted"?

The word "afflicted" is typically followed by the prepositions "by" or "with". For example, one might say someone is "afflicted by" a disease or "afflicted with" a condition. Using "at" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "afflicted at"?

Instead of "afflicted at", you can use alternatives such as "suffering from", "stricken with", or "affected by" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "afflicted by" and "afflicted with"?

While both "afflicted by" and "afflicted with" are correct, "afflicted by" is generally used to indicate the cause of suffering, whereas "afflicted with" describes the condition itself. They are often interchangeable but the nuance can subtly shift the focus.

How do I avoid misusing the word "afflicted"?

Always double-check the preposition that follows "afflicted". Ensure it's either "by" or "with", and consider whether the context implies the cause (by) or the condition (with). If unsure, rewriting the sentence using "suffering from" can be a safe alternative.