be plagued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be plagued" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is suffering from persistent problems or difficulties. Example: "The town has been plagued by a series of unfortunate events, including floods and power outages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sanchez continues to be plagued by giveaways.

The New York Times - Sports

It will continue to be plagued by violence and insurgency.

The Economist

Without it, he would be plagued by bronchitis and pneumonia.

The New York Times

But volunteer work can be plagued by inefficiency.

The New York Times

Jaffna would no longer be plagued by shortages of fuel, food and electricity.

The Economist

The state telecoms operator, OTE, used to be plagued by strikes and provided notoriously poor services.

The Economist

Knightley is far from the only star to be plagued by stalkers.

Independent

Some rural areas of the state continue to be plagued with high rates of infant mortality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He emerges as a protean, inexhaustible artist, too busy to be plagued by self-doubt.

The New York Times

It will continue to be plagued by violence and insurgency, and civil war is a possibility.

The Economist

That an infant, especially, should be plagued by sleep difficulties is understandable.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be plagued", ensure the subject is clearly defined, and the source of the problem or affliction is specified for clarity. For example, "The project continued to be plagued by delays."

Common error

Avoid using "be plagued" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant and persistent problem, so reserve it for situations that genuinely cause considerable difficulty or distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be plagued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being troubled or afflicted by something. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness, as also stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be plagued" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase for describing a state of persistent trouble or affliction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral register allows for usage in a variety of contexts, from news reports to academic writing. While alternatives like ""suffer from"" or "be afflicted by" exist, "be plagued" often implies a more persistent and bothersome issue. Remember to use it accurately, reserving it for situations that genuinely cause considerable difficulty or distress. Ludwig examples demonstrate its broad applicability and reliable usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer from

This alternative emphasizes the experience of enduring something unpleasant or difficult.

be afflicted by

This phrase highlights the impact of something harmful or troublesome.

be beset by

This option suggests being persistently troubled or harassed by something.

be troubled by

This alternative focuses on the feeling of worry or distress caused by something.

be burdened with

This highlights the weight or responsibility imposed by a difficult situation.

be haunted by

This option indicates a persistent and often psychological distress caused by something.

be cursed with

This implies a sense of misfortune or bad luck associated with something.

contend with

Implies struggling or grappling with a problem or difficulty.

grapple with

This emphasizes the active struggle to overcome a challenge or difficulty.

be overridden by

This suggests being overwhelmed or dominated by a particular issue or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "be plagued" in a sentence?

The phrase "be plagued" typically describes a situation where someone or something is consistently troubled by a problem. For instance, "The company continues to "be plagued" by technical issues" or "The athlete has been "be plagued" by injuries throughout his career."

What's the difference between "be plagued" and "suffer from"?

While both "be plagued" and "suffer from" indicate a negative experience, "be plagued" suggests a more persistent and troublesome affliction. "Suffer from" is a more general term for experiencing something unpleasant. You "suffer from" a headache; a city can "be plagued" by corruption.

What can I say instead of "be plagued"?

Alternatives to "be plagued" include phrases like "be afflicted by", "be beset by", or ""suffer from"", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

The correct form depends on the subject's plurality. Use "is plagued by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The city is plagued by crime"), and "are plagued by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The roads are plagued by potholes").