Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
been suggested to affect
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "been suggested to affect" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something has been proposed as having an impact, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "It has been suggested to affect the outcome of the experiment, but further research is needed."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
Academia
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Melatonin has been suggested to affect human emotion, but conflicting evidence exists.
Science
A single nucleotide polymorphism at codon 25 has been suggested to affect fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, fatty liver disease, and hereditary hemochromatosis.
Science
The growth hormone (GH) receptor (GHR) exon 3 deleted/full-length (d3/fl) polymorphism has been suggested to affect GH sensitivity.
Dopamine has been suggested to affect novelty processing and memory, which suggests that these processes are also implicated in PD and that DRT could affect them.
Science
Al has been associated with neuronal and glial dysfunctions, and neuronal changes have been suggested to affect several neurotransmitter systems including the dopaminergic system.
Science
The purity of CNT has also been suggested to affect the toxicity.
Science
© 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Morphological and hemodynamic parameters have been suggested to affect the rupture of cerebral aneurysms, but detailed mechanisms of rupture are poorly understood.
Academia
This concept would be synonymous with the poly-compartment syndrome which has previously been suggested to affect the head, thorax, abdomen [26] and extremities.
Science
Mutations in NRG3 have been associated with schizophrenia, a condition that has been suggested to affect human-specific cognitive traits (65, 66).
Science & Research
The availability of iron to the plant has also been suggested to affect flower colour.
Wiki
Hypnosis has also been suggested to affect that part of the brain, which is associated with where the emotional content of pain is processed.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
While the phrase "been suggested to affect" is frequently used, consider using stronger verbs like "influence", "impact", or "alter" to convey a more direct and confident tone. Also, consider rephrasing to use active voice for better clarity.
Common error
Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "been suggested to affect". Instead, actively state who is suggesting the effect. For example, instead of "X has been suggested to affect Y", write "Researchers suggest that X affects Y".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "been suggested to affect" functions as a passive construction used to introduce a potential causal relationship or influence. It softens the assertion by indicating that the link is a suggestion or possibility, not a confirmed fact. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase may be awkward.
Frequent in
Science
66%
Academia
12%
News & Media
8%
Less common in
Wiki
4%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "been suggested to affect" is a common way to introduce a potential influence or causal relationship. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the construction is grammatically questionable and may be awkward. While prevalent in scientific and academic contexts, using stronger verbs and active voice can enhance clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "been proposed to influence" or "been hypothesized to impact" for improved writing. Although the phrase appears frequently, mindful use and awareness of more direct options are essential for effective communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
been proposed to influence
Replaces "suggested to affect" with "proposed to influence", emphasizing the formal presentation of an idea rather than a mere suggestion.
been hypothesized to impact
Substitutes "suggested to affect" with "hypothesized to impact", framing the relationship as a testable scientific hypothesis.
been indicated to influence
Changes "suggested to affect" to "indicated to influence", suggesting that there's evidence pointing towards the relationship.
been speculated to alter
Replaces "suggested to affect" with "speculated to alter", implying that the relationship is based on conjecture or incomplete information.
been theorized to modify
Changes "suggested to affect" to "theorized to modify", indicating that the relationship is part of a formal theory.
been presumed to influence
Replaces "suggested to affect" with "presumed to influence", implying that the relationship is assumed to be true based on prior knowledge or beliefs.
been posited to impact
Substitutes "suggested to affect" with "posited to impact", emphasizing the formal assertion of an idea or principle.
been understood to alter
Changes "suggested to affect" to "understood to alter", indicating a general agreement of how something is comprehended.
been considered to change
Replaces "suggested to affect" with "considered to change", indicating a state of deliberation about something, not a definitive statement.
been believed to modify
Changes "suggested to affect" to "believed to modify", indicating that it is a matter of faith.
FAQs
What are some alternatives to "been suggested to affect"?
Alternatives include "been proposed to influence", "been hypothesized to impact", or "been indicated to influence", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.
How can I make my writing more direct when using the idea of "been suggested to affect"?
Instead of using the passive voice construction, rephrase the sentence to clearly state who is making the suggestion and what is being affected. For example, change "The policy has been suggested to affect economic growth" to "Economists suggest that the policy affects economic growth".
Is "been suggested to affect" grammatically correct?
While commonly used, "been suggested to affect" can be considered awkward. Ludwig AI suggests it's not the best choice and recommends alternatives for clearer and more impactful writing.
When is it appropriate to use "been suggested to affect"?
Although it's widespread, it is better to use this phrase only when you want to emphasize the suggestion aspect, rather than the direct impact. However, even in those cases, stronger and more direct alternatives are usually preferable.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested