are marred by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are marred by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is negatively affected or spoiled by a particular issue or flaw. Example: "The beautiful landscape photographs are marred by the presence of litter scattered across the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coastal villages are marred by these confrontations.

The New York Times

Articles written about him are marred by inaccuracies.

The New York Times - Books

And some of those enrollments are marred by mistakes.

The New York Times

But both messages are marred by silly political bluster.

The Economist

The five other schemes are well-meaning, but they are marred by some degree of hokeyness.

The New Yorker

They're the ones whose magazine covers are marred by a bar code splodged in the corner.

The New York Times

Others have their Technicolor sequences intact but are marred by dirt and scratches.

The New York Times

Yet again, the streets of an American city are marred by violence".

The New Yorker

Investigations into police abuses are marred by inefficiency and corruption … and impunity is the rule".

The Guardian - Opinion

Lingering doubt follows proceedings that are marred by corruption, as those at the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

The Guardian

But some of the Thai dishes are marred by a lack of spicing.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are marred by" to clearly and directly express that something is negatively affected by a specific flaw or problem. This phrase is effective for conveying a sense of imperfection or damage.

Common error

While "are marred by" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider stronger or more nuanced alternatives like "are undermined by" or "are compromised by" for added impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are marred by" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is negatively affected or damaged by something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to express imperfection or detriment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are marred by" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to express that something is negatively affected by a specific flaw or problem. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While highly effective, consider alternatives like "are tainted by" or "are blemished by" for nuanced expression, especially in formal writing. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are tainted by

Indicates a degree of corruption or contamination, suggesting a loss of purity or integrity.

are blemished by

Focuses on imperfections or flaws that detract from the overall appearance or quality.

are spoiled by

Suggests that something good has been ruined or negatively affected by an undesirable element.

are damaged by

Highlights physical or structural harm, implying a reduction in functionality or value.

are flawed by

Emphasizes inherent weaknesses or imperfections that undermine the effectiveness or validity of something.

are impaired by

Indicates a reduction in capability or functionality due to some negative influence.

are compromised by

Implies that something has been weakened or made vulnerable due to external factors.

are undermined by

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or stability.

are plagued by

Conveys the idea of being constantly troubled or afflicted by something negative.

are riddled with

Suggests that something is permeated or filled with undesirable elements, often to a significant extent.

FAQs

How can I use "are marred by" in a sentence?

You can use "are marred by" to indicate that something is negatively affected or spoiled by a particular flaw or issue. For example, "The beautiful landscape photographs "are marred by" the presence of litter."

What can I say instead of "are marred by"?

You can use alternatives like "are tainted by", "are blemished by", or "are spoiled by" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "are marred by" or "is marred by"?

"Are marred by" is used with plural subjects, while "is marred by" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The photographs are marred by litter" versus "The photograph is marred by a scratch".

What's the difference between "are marred by" and "are overshadowed by"?

"Are marred by" implies damage or imperfection, while "are overshadowed by" suggests that something else is more prominent or noticeable. "The event was marred by rain" indicates the rain negatively affected the event, whereas "The event was overshadowed by the scandal" means the scandal drew more attention.