afflicts me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afflicts me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something causes distress, pain, or suffering to oneself. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site afflicts me, making it hard to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She has dealt with mastectomies and reconstruction as well as the sort of gynecological cancer that afflicts me.

The New York Times

Several weeks before his death, he told an aide, "The sickness that afflicts me is called Italy".

Encyclopedia Britannica

I could not stop for that--My Business is Circumference--An ignorance, not of Customs, but if caught with the Dawn--or the Sunset see me--Myself the only Kangaroo among the Beauty, Sir, if you please, it afflicts me, and I thought that instruction would take it away.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Savini devised the effects for "Dawn of the Dead" that afflicted me with my zombie dreams.

The New Yorker

Writing also afflicted me early; at age seven, I wrote a poem called The Little Red Fox that ran on for a couple of pages of doggerel rhyme.

The Guardian - Music

As I had tossed and turned in my bunk, I imagined that every possible nightmare scenario - from capsizing boats to food poisoning - would afflict me at some point in my journey.

The Guardian - Travel

FOR a while after seeing the movie "Babe," I couldn't eat bacon with my usual zest, and I'm worried that something of the sort may afflict me after reading this book.

The New York Times - Books

If I found nothing good in my father's writing, if I found him to have been overly influenced by other writers, I would be plunged into the despair that had afflicted me so strongly when I was young, casting my life, my very being, my desire to write, and my work into question.

The New Yorker

You hide yourself from me and afflict me with your love.

Huffington Post

Then I glance at the culture pages, but not with the Anglophilia that afflicted me when I was an English major in college.

Huffington Post

So many of you knew others who'd been afflicted and gave me hope for my recovery!" Support, a powerful element of healing, was also key for Joan Lipkin.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afflicts me" to express a significant and negative impact on your well-being, whether physical or emotional. It's stronger than "bothers me" but less intense than "torments me".

Common error

Avoid using "afflicts me" in casual conversation or lighthearted situations. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in inappropriate settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afflicts me" functions as a verb phrase where "afflicts" is a transitive verb and "me" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to indicate that something causes distress, pain, or suffering to the speaker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "afflicts me" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express that something causes you distress or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's not incorrect, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral register, often found in news media and encyclopedic sources. For more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "bothers me" or "troubles me". When using this phrase, be mindful of its slightly formal tone to avoid sounding overly dramatic in informal settings. The primary aim is to express a significant negative impact on well-being, be it emotional or physical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubles me

Replaces "afflicts" with a more common and less formal synonym, focusing on the feeling of being bothered or worried.

bothers me

A simpler and more direct way of expressing that something is causing annoyance or discomfort.

causes me distress

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the affliction, highlighting the suffering experienced.

is a burden to me

Indicates that something is weighing heavily on the speaker, causing hardship or difficulty.

is a source of suffering for me

Highlights the pain and hardship that the affliction brings into the speaker's life.

weighs heavily on me

Suggests that something is causing mental or emotional strain and is difficult to bear.

is a plague upon me

Uses a more dramatic and metaphorical term to describe the severity and impact of the affliction.

oppresses me

Indicates a feeling of being weighed down or suppressed by something, either physically or emotionally.

torments me

Suggests a more intense and agonizing form of suffering, implying a constant and relentless source of pain.

haunts me

Implies a lingering and persistent source of distress, often related to memories or anxieties.

FAQs

How can I use "afflicts me" in a sentence?

Use "afflicts me" to describe something that causes you significant suffering or distress, for example: "The chronic pain afflicts me daily" or "The constant anxiety afflicts me, making it difficult to focus".

What's a less formal alternative to "afflicts me"?

If you want to express something similar in a more casual way, you could say "bothers me", "troubles me", or "is getting to me".

Is it correct to say "that afflicts to me"?

No, the correct phrasing is "that afflicts me". The verb "afflict" takes the object directly, without the need for the preposition "to".

What's the difference between "afflicts me" and "plagues me"?

"Afflicts me" suggests a general source of suffering or difficulty, while "plagues me" implies a persistent and often recurring source of trouble or annoyance. "Plagues" carries a slightly stronger connotation of relentless aggravation.