be affected by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be affected by" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It generally means to be influenced by something or to have reactions to something. For example: My mood was affected by the news of the layoffs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Both will be affected by the shutdown".

The New York Times

"You can't be affected by that.

The New York Times - Sports

Who will be affected by the earthquake?

The New Yorker

First you'll be affected by the downturn.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We won't be affected by this.

The New York Times

Whom will be affected by this legislation?

The New York Times

No child should be affected by war.

The Guardian - Tech

Attendance can be affected by the weather.

The Guardian

Those features will also be affected by the algorithm change.

The New York Times - Tech

-Who is at risk to be affected by this contaminant?

The New York Times

Most of them will again be affected by Inga III.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "be affected by" to emphasize the reception of an influence, rather than active causation.

Common error

The verb "affect" (to influence) is often confused with the noun "effect" (a result). Remember, something "affects" something else, and the "effect" is the consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be affected by" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating that a subject undergoes some form of influence or change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, citing numerous examples where it is used to express impact from external factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be affected by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something or someone is influenced or changed by an external factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. To avoid common errors, remember that "affect" is a verb (to influence), while "effect" is a noun (a result). Consider alternatives like "be influenced by" or "be impacted by" depending on the desired emphasis. When using "be affected by", ensure the subject experiencing the influence is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be influenced by

Focuses more on the act of being swayed or guided by something.

be impacted by

Emphasizes the force or significance of the effect.

be altered by

Focuses on the resulting change or modification.

be shaped by

Indicates a formative or developmental influence.

be touched by

Suggests a more emotional or personal level of influence.

be changed by

A simpler and more direct way of expressing alteration.

be molded by

Similar to 'shaped by', but implies a more deliberate or forceful influence.

be swayed by

Highlights the aspect of being persuaded or convinced.

be determined by

Implies that something is decided or controlled by a factor.

be conditioned by

Suggests a habitual or learned response due to something.

FAQs

How can I use "be affected by" in a sentence?

Use "be affected by" to indicate that something or someone is influenced or changed by something else. For example, "The economy will "be affected by" the new trade policies."

What's the difference between "be affected by" and "be impacted by"?

"Be affected by" is generally used for any kind of influence or change, while "be impacted by" often suggests a stronger, more forceful effect. Although "be impacted by" is also often used to describe something being hit or struck, while this is not the case for "be affected by".

What are some alternatives to "be affected by"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "be influenced by", "be altered by", or "be changed by".

Is it correct to say "be affected from" instead of "be affected by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "be affected" is "by". Saying "be affected from" is grammatically incorrect.