be plagued by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be plagued by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where someone has persistent problems or difficulty. For example: "The city has been plagued by power outages over the past month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

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

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

Independent

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

Despite the new finding, lemming scientists expect to continue to be plagued by suicide queries.

The New York Times

So he branched into film-making, only to be plagued by similar plaudits.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be plagued by" to describe situations where problems are persistent and cause significant difficulties. For instance, "The project continued to be plagued by delays."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "be plagued by" in formal writing, especially when milder alternatives like "be affected by" or "experience" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be plagued by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being troubled or afflicted. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to denote persistent issues, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be plagued by" is a versatile and frequently used expression that effectively conveys persistent trouble or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the grammatical status is correct, and the frequency is very common, indicating its widespread acceptance in English writing. The phrase is used in various contexts, with a notable presence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While generally acceptable, writers should consider milder alternatives in formal contexts to avoid overuse. Examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist and Huffington Post demonstrate the phrase's consistent application in describing recurring problems and their negative impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be beset by

Similar to "be plagued by", this phrase suggests being persistently troubled or harassed by something, often implying a sense of being surrounded by difficulties. Slightly more literary.

be dogged by

Suggests being persistently followed or pursued by a problem or misfortune. More active than "be plagued by".

be afflicted with

This alternative suggests suffering from a condition or problem, often implying a negative impact on health or well-being. The focus is more on the state of being affected.

be hounded by

Implies relentless pursuit or harassment, often by people or organizations. It is a more aggressive and active alternative.

suffer from

This is a general term for experiencing something negative, whether physical or emotional. It lacks the sense of persistent trouble implied by "be plagued by".

be troubled by

This is a milder alternative, indicating worry or concern caused by something. It doesn't necessarily imply the same level of severity or persistence as "be plagued by".

be burdened with

This phrase focuses on the weight or responsibility of something, suggesting a heavy load or obligation. It is less about the negative effects of a problem.

be haunted by

This implies that someone is persistently disturbed by memories or events from the past. It carries a stronger emotional connotation.

be haunted with

Implies a persistent and often unsettling presence of something, typically memories or thoughts. It carries a strong emotional weight.

be cursed with

This suggests a sense of misfortune or bad luck that seems inescapable. It is a more dramatic and less common alternative.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be plagued by" is used to describe a situation where someone or something is persistently troubled by a problem. For example, "The city continues to "be plagued by" high crime rates".

What are some alternatives to "be plagued by"?

You can use alternatives such as "be afflicted with", "be troubled by", or "be beset by" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "be plagued by" in formal writing?

Yes, "be plagued by" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider milder alternatives if the context doesn't require strong emphasis on persistent trouble. Some suitable options include "be affected by" or "experience".

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

"Be plagued by" implies a persistent and troublesome condition, while "suffer from" is a more general term for experiencing something negative. "Be plagued by" often suggests a more continuous and disruptive problem.