befalling

USAGE SUMMARY

"befalling" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something happening to someone, often in a negative or unfortunate context. An example: "The misfortunes befalling the town were hard to bear." Alternative expressions include "happening to," "occurring to," and "afflicting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The seriousness of the violence was represented elsewhere – such as by grave consequences befalling those involved or the violence being contextualised by the disapproving reactions of onlookers.

The Guardian

The risks of an unsuccessful suit have been highlighted by the disasters befalling politicians such as Mr Aitken and Mr Hamilton.

The Economist

And it should free, or put on trial, some of the hundreds of Hamas prisoners rounded up in the past month or so on the West Bank, the bigger bit of a would-be Palestinian state.But the catastrophe befalling Gaza stems fundamentally from the refusal of Israel to negotiate in good faith to let the Palestinians have a proper state encompassing both Gaza and the West Bank.

The Economist

The governor lost no time in getting stuck in on primary night, castigating Mr Simon, who only recently moved to the state, as "out of touch with most Californians".The chances that the Republican can avoid a trouncing seem to rest on some calamity befalling the machine-like Mr Davis.

The Economist

At present, however, the strongest case for America to stay is its duty to prevent an even worse calamity from befalling Iraq's people.

The Economist

The risks of an unsuccessful suit have been highlighted by a series of expensive disasters befalling people such as Neil Hamilton, a former Conservative MP, and Gillian Taylforth, a television actress.

The Economist

To the (Socialist) head of now privatised Portugal Telecom, it is "crucial" for the state to retain its "golden share" that prevents such a fate befalling companies like his.Given such challenges, the clash of debate could go on and on.

The Economist

The young and dazzlingly clever black lawyer is the Democratic candidate for that state's Senate seat, and is likely to be elected not least, thanks to a stunning series of mishaps befalling his potential Republican opponents.

The Economist

But what finally changed Mr Obama's mind is no mystery: it was the imminent fall of Benghazi, the biggest city still in rebel hands, and the prospect of a calamity befalling its 700,000 or so inhabitants.

The Economist

Thus, in Dahomey libations and animal and food offerings are frequently made to a variety of earth spirits to ensure their good favour in preventing any adversity from befalling the one making the offering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

British attempts to prevent Jewish immigration to Palestine in the face of the Holocaust the terrible tragedy befalling European Jewry and others deemed undesirable by the Nazis led to the disastrous sinking of two ships carrying Jewish refugees, the Patria (November 1940) and the Struma (February 1942).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "befalling" when you want to convey a sense of something unfortunate or calamitous happening, often unexpectedly, to someone or something. It's suitable for formal writing and adds a touch of gravity to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "befalling" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or overly dramatic in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "happening to" or "affecting".

Linguistic Context

Befalling functions as a present participle, often describing an event or circumstance, usually negative, that is happening or about to happen to someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "befalling" is a grammatically correct present participle that describes something (typically negative) that happens to someone or something. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While appropriate for formal settings, it may sound overly dramatic in casual conversations. Consider alternatives like "happening to" or "occurring to" for more neutral tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happening to

This alternative is more straightforward and commonly used in everyday language.

occurring to

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the event taking place.

afflicting

This alternative emphasizes a negative impact or suffering caused by the event.

overtaking

This alternative suggests a sudden or unexpected event.

descending upon

This alternative implies a forceful or overwhelming arrival of the event.

falling upon

This alternative is a more literary and emphasizes the impact of the event.

visiting

This alternative is often used to describe something unpleasant or unwelcome.

arriving at

This alternative emphasizes the endpoint or destination of the event.

coming upon

This alternative suggests an event that is encountered unexpectedly.

encountering

This alternative is a general term for experiencing something, often unexpected.

FAQs

How do I use "befalling" in a sentence?

"Befalling" is typically used to describe something negative or unfortunate that happens to someone or something. For example, "The misfortunes "befalling" the town were hard to bear."

What are some alternatives to "befalling"?

You can use alternatives like "happening to", "occurring to", or "afflicting" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "befalling" and "happening to"?

"Befalling" carries a stronger sense of misfortune or calamity, whereas "happening to" is a more neutral and general term. "Befalling" is more formal and literary.

Is "befalling" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "befalling" is well-suited for formal writing, particularly when describing events with serious or negative implications. However, in informal contexts, it may sound overly dramatic.