are affected by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are affected by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been impacted or changed by something else. For example, "We are affected by rising temperatures in many ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sports, too, are affected by propaganda.

The New Yorker

They are affected by their own reputations.

The Guardian - Books

We are affected by it all.

The Guardian - Opinion

More areas are affected by drought.

The Guardian

Others are affected by the construction work.

The Guardian

What drugs are affected by the VFD?

Cornell University

Q: Which applications are affected by myPassword?

Cornell University

You are affected by what you learn, and you are affected by what you hear.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, more than 30,000 people are affected by ALS.

Huffington Post

These pixels are affected by SSFO.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Families, friends, communities, economies all are affected by these diseases.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are affected by", ensure the subject and the affecting factor are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify 'Students are affected by the new policy' instead of just 'Things are affected'.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice with "are affected by". Actively construct sentences to enhance clarity and engagement. Instead of 'The results are affected by the weather', try 'The weather affects the results'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are affected by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving an action or experiencing a change due to an external factor. It's commonly used to describe how various entities or concepts are influenced, impacted, or altered by specific causes or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are affected by" is a versatile and frequently used passive construction that indicates how a subject experiences change or influence from an external factor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It's common in news, science, and academic writing, and it's useful for maintaining objectivity when discussing cause-and-effect relationships. To avoid overuse of passive voice, consider active alternatives like "influence" or "impact" where appropriate. When using "are affected by", ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the affecting factor. Common sources include authoritative platforms such as The Guardian, The New York Times and Forbes, reinforcing the phrase's credibility and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are influenced by

Highlights the role of influence rather than direct change.

are impacted by

Emphasizes a strong and often sudden effect.

are changed by

Focuses on the resulting transformation.

are influenced through

Specifies the influence that occurs during a particular time.

are shaped by

Suggests a formative effect over time.

are determined by

Indicates a causal relationship where something is decided by another factor.

are conditioned by

Implies a response that is learned or trained.

are governed by

Indicates control or regulation by a set of rules or principles.

are subject to

Indicates that something is likely to experience or be affected by something else.

are responsive to

Highlights the reaction or sensitivity to a particular stimulus.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are affected by" to sound more active?

You can use active alternatives such as "influence", "impact", or "change". For example, instead of "prices are affected by forecasts", you could say "forecasts "influence prices"".

Is it always better to avoid using "are affected by"?

Not necessarily. While active voice is often preferred for directness, passive voice with "are affected by" can be useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the subject being acted upon.

What's the difference between "are affected by" and "are influenced by"?

While similar, "are affected by" suggests a direct impact or change, whereas "are influenced by" implies a more subtle or indirect effect. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate term. For example "emotions "influence decisions"" versus "crops "are affected by climate change"".

In what contexts is "are affected by" most appropriate?

"Are affected by" is suitable in formal and neutral contexts where objectivity is important, such as scientific reports, news articles, and academic papers. However, for marketing contexts other solutions may be more appealing and direct.