be afflicted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be afflicted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is suffering from a condition, problem, or negative experience. Example: "Many people in the region are afflicted by poverty and lack of access to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These opponents seem to be afflicted by two fundamental misconceptions.

The New York Times

Once again, some of his more accomplished footballers appeared to be afflicted by an inferiority complex.

The Guardian - Sport

The thought that Royston Drenthe might be afflicted by bouts of anxiety seems faintly ridiculous.

Independent

Alcoholics tend to be afflicted by a troubled relationship with the truth.

Independent

John Terry showed again the remarkable influence he has on a team that never seem to be afflicted by nerves.

The Guardian - Sport

Both confess they tend to be afflicted by doubt and find it emotionally difficult to get films made.

The Guardian - Film

Take a walk down any street and out of every 10 people you pass, one will probably be afflicted by social phobia at some point in their life.

The Guardian

Residents who continue to be afflicted by uninvited aromas (oil-based primer, anyone?) are entitled to ask the landlord or co-op board to remediate.

The New York Times

His ubiquity sometimes causes journalists to be afflicted by Zandi syndrome — a sudden onset of fear that we are quoting him too much.

The New York Times

Such students "may be afflicted by a sense of lost identity," the copy read, adding that university life presented "a whole new world . . . of anxiety".

The New Yorker

"A more German euro zone," he wrote, "would be afflicted by chronically weak demand, debilitating cycles of competitive wage cuts, and prolonged economic slumps in the deficit countries".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be afflicted by" to describe situations where something negative or undesirable impacts a person, group, or entity, emphasizing the suffering or burden caused. For instance, "The region was afflicted by drought" effectively conveys the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "be afflicted by" to describe minor inconveniences. The phrase suggests a significant negative impact. Instead of saying "The meeting was afflicted by technical difficulties", use a more appropriate phrase like "The meeting was disrupted by technical difficulties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be afflicted by" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject is experiencing something negative or harmful. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently used to denote suffering from diseases, hardships, or negative conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be afflicted by" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state of suffering or being negatively impacted by a condition or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. The phrase carries a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for describing serious issues while maintaining objectivity. When using "be afflicted by", ensure the context warrants a description of significant hardship or suffering to avoid misrepresenting the severity of the situation. Alternatives include "suffer from" and "be plagued by", which can provide subtle variations in meaning. Remember to use "be afflicted by" to emphasize the negative impact and burden caused by a specific affliction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer from

A direct and common alternative, indicating a state of experiencing pain or distress.

be stricken by

Suggests a sudden and forceful impact, implying a more immediate onset of the affliction.

be plagued by

Suggests a persistent and troublesome affliction, often recurring over time.

fall victim to

Implies a lack of agency and a sense of being defeated by the affliction, often used for diseases or negative circumstances.

be affected by

Implies a more general influence or impact, not necessarily negative or severe.

be burdened by

Highlights the weight or difficulty imposed by the affliction, emphasizing the hardship experienced.

be troubled by

Indicates a state of worry or unease caused by the affliction, focusing on the mental or emotional impact.

be subject to

Suggests a vulnerability or susceptibility to the affliction, implying a lack of control.

be a casualty of

Frames the afflicted as a loss or negative outcome resulting from a larger event or situation.

be exposed to

Highlights the exposure to a harmful element or situation that leads to the affliction.

FAQs

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

Use "be afflicted by" to describe the state of being negatively affected by something such as a disease, hardship, or problem. For example, "Many people are "afflicted by poverty" in the region".

What are some alternatives to "be afflicted by"?

You can use alternatives such as "suffer from", "be plagued by", or "be burdened by", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "afflicted with" or "afflicted by"?

"Afflicted by" is the more common and generally accepted phrasing. "Afflicted with" can sometimes be used, but "afflicted by" is typically preferred in modern English usage.

What is the difference between "be affected by" and "be afflicted by"?

"Be affected by" generally implies a broader and potentially neutral influence. "Be afflicted by", on the other hand, specifically implies a negative and burdensome impact, suggesting suffering or hardship. For instance, a business might "be affected by" market changes, but a community might "be afflicted by poverty".