affliction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affliction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a condition or illness that causes pain or distress, often in a medical or emotional context. Example: "His affliction made it difficult for him to participate in physical activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Past media campaigns have been successful in shifting opinions on both leprosy and HIV affliction.

The Guardian

Being a woman seemed more an affliction than merely a trait shared by slightly more than 50% of the population.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obviously, the baddies are King George V and King Edward VIII, because they're the ones who openly mock Bertie's affliction.

The Guardian - Film

Sharadamma's assistive devices need changes or adjustments every 6 months and the procedure is performed by Ranoo Vijaylakshmi, herself physically disabled by a childhood polio affliction.

The Guardian

It is a genuine linguistic affliction that causes confusion and imbues our everyday speech with a clumsiness and imprecision that can be maddening.

The Guardian

The basic point has been conceded, with both sides acknowledging that cultural marginalisation is a real affliction that must be countered.

The Guardian - Opinion

The notion that this syndicate of 168 GOP party elders, a group for whom I once labored, should rigidly determine the party's policy agenda is a profoundly malignant affliction.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this candour, this desire to shed light on a dark and hugely costly affliction, is apparently not to everyone's taste.

The Guardian - Opinion

As this is several times the baseline rate of affliction, it has forced the recall of over 500m eggs.

The Economist

It survived a bruising consolidation process among Chinese TV makers to emerge as one of the two leading groups, with an 18% market share.After attempts at diversification a common affliction among Chinese businessmen into white goods, computers and mobile phones (with mixed results), the Thomson deal suggests a laudable focus on the core business.

The Economist

In comparison, deflation might seem a relatively mild affliction.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "affliction", consider the intensity and duration of the suffering. It often implies a prolonged or significant source of distress, whether physical, emotional, or societal.

Common error

Avoid using "affliction" to describe minor inconveniences or temporary discomforts. Reserve it for more serious and impactful sources of suffering to maintain its appropriate weight and significance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "affliction" is as a noun. It denotes a state of pain, suffering, or distress. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to describe conditions like "HIV affliction" or "childhood polio affliction".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academic Sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affliction" is a noun denoting a state of pain, suffering, or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in neutral to formal contexts such as news and media. While it's common to see it in formal writing, it's best to avoid using "affliction" for minor discomforts to maintain its impactful meaning. Related terms like "ailment", "disease", and "hardship" offer varying degrees of semantic similarity. When writing, consider the intensity and duration of the suffering when using "affliction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ailment

Refers to a physical health problem, often a milder term than "affliction".

disease

Specifically denotes a pathological condition affecting an organism.

malady

Similar to ailment but can also describe social or economic problems.

suffering

Emphasizes the experience of pain or distress rather than the cause.

hardship

Focuses on the difficult conditions or circumstances.

misfortune

Highlights the bad luck or adverse fate.

tribulation

Suggests a severe trial or period of suffering.

plight

Refers to a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

ordeal

Emphasizes the painful or horrific experience.

burden

Suggests something that is carried with difficulty or causes worry.

FAQs

How is "affliction" typically used in a sentence?

"Affliction" is often used to describe a state of suffering or something that causes suffering. For example, "Poverty can be a major "cause of affliction"", or "He bore his "physical affliction" with courage".

What are some words similar to "affliction"?

Similar words include "ailment", "disease", "malady", "suffering", and "hardship". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "affliction" to describe a minor problem?

While technically correct, using "affliction" for minor problems can sound exaggerated. It's better reserved for significant sources of suffering, while words like "inconvenience" or "annoyance" may be more suitable for minor issues.

What is the difference between "affliction" and "hardship"?

"Affliction" typically refers to a state of suffering or the cause of suffering, often related to health or a difficult condition. "Hardship" refers more broadly to difficult conditions or circumstances in life. "Financial hardship" might cause "emotional affliction".