are possibly suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are possibly suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where individuals may be experiencing distress or hardship, but it is not confirmed. Example: "The residents of the affected area are possibly suffering from the consequences of the recent natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Table 2 has listed countries that are possibly suffering from a shortage of veterinarians.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

County police chief Alexander said he could "reasonably assume" the man shot on Monday was possibly suffering from a mental illness.

Independent

Alexander said he could "reasonably assume" the person was possibly suffering from mental illness, given his behavior.

HuffPost

March 9 (Reuters) - A white, Atlanta-area police officer shot dead a naked and unarmed African-American man acting erratically in his apartment complex and who was possibly suffering from a mental illness, the county police chief said.

HuffPost

I got slightly bugged that he kept talking about the problem of oversimplification but he was also possibly suffering from oversimplification.

The Guardian - Arts

I experienced something similar a couple of years ago when my biography of Mrs Beeton suggested that Britain's first domestic goddess was quite possibly suffering from syphilis.

The Guardian - Books

Habeler was terrified of possibly suffering brain damage from the lack of oxygen and made a remarkable descent to the South Col in just one hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you are one of those people, possibly suffering in silence because of fear of being ridiculed or even being treated for a psychiatric disorder, please be reassured.

The Guardian

One described non-attendance as children's rights issue, and the prospect of a child missing out on healthcare and possibly suffering was a concern, evident in respondents' references to issues being 'flagged up', the imperative to 'spot problems' and the dangers of children 'slipping through the net'.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

She was reportedly suspected of possibly "suffering from mental illness or drug addiction" by officers in a separate episode in August (for which she was not arrested or charged).

The New York Times

This latter group included four of the five subjects (5% of the total) with negative MDQ who were clinically suspected of possibly suffering from bipolar disorder.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are possibly suffering", ensure the context provides some indication or evidence that supports the possibility of suffering, rather than stating it as a definitive fact.

Common error

Avoid using "are possibly suffering" when there is no supporting evidence or when the suffering is already confirmed. Use more definitive language if the suffering is certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are possibly suffering" functions as a qualifying verb phrase. It indicates a state of potential affliction or hardship, suggesting that individuals or entities might be experiencing distress without definitively confirming it. The Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from mental health to economic hardship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are possibly suffering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a potential state of distress or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to express uncertainty or speculation about someone's condition, softening the statement. It's prevalent in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse situations. Remember to use it when there's a plausible indication of suffering, but not enough evidence to confirm it definitively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be experiencing

Focuses on the potential sensations or feelings someone could be going through.

might be afflicted

Suggests a potential condition or ailment affecting someone.

may be undergoing

Highlights a process or experience that someone might be currently experiencing, often difficult.

could be enduring

Emphasizes the act of withstanding or tolerating a difficult situation.

could be dealing with

Indicates that someone might be handling or managing a challenging situation.

may be subject to

Implies that someone could be vulnerable or exposed to a particular condition.

might have

Implies the potential presence of symptoms, conditions, or illnesses.

may show signs of

Highlights observable indications that someone could be affected by something.

could develop

Indicates a potential future onset of a condition.

might contract

Focuses on the potential acquisition of a disease or illness.

FAQs

How can I use "are possibly suffering" in a sentence?

You can use "are possibly suffering" to indicate a potential state of distress or hardship. For example, "The residents of the affected area "are possibly suffering" from the consequences of the recent natural disaster."

What can I say instead of "are possibly suffering"?

You can use alternatives like "might be experiencing", "may be undergoing", or "could be enduring" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are possibly suffering" or "are certainly suffering"?

The choice depends on the certainty of the situation. Use "are possibly suffering" when there's a chance of suffering but no confirmation. Use "are certainly suffering" if the suffering is confirmed.

What's the difference between "are possibly suffering" and "are likely suffering"?

"Are possibly suffering" indicates a lower probability than "are likely suffering". The latter suggests a higher degree of confidence that suffering is occurring.