being inflicted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being inflicted upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is being imposed or caused to happen to someone or something, often in a negative context. Example: "The pain was being inflicted upon the patient without any relief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I witnessed the misery and suffering being inflicted upon the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile on a recent trip there.

The New York Times

He sailed on at least two of Columbus's voyages and survived numerous dangers, but then returned to Spain in 1519 to argue before the new King Charles I (who was also Emperor Charles V) against the dreadful cruelties being inflicted upon the Indian tribes in the West.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Marri's alleged criminal activity was said by the prosecution to have nothing whatsoever to do with the United Kingdom, but concerned his call to the people of Balochistan to defend themselves against the killings being inflicted upon them by the Pakistan military and intelligence services.

The Guardian

And then, when somebody on Manus or Nauru finally breaks, under the sheer weight of the trauma being inflicted upon them on a daily basis, and commits an act of self-harm, you blame the people who spend each day and night trying to prevent this from happening.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his preface to "A World Apart," Bertrand Russell wrote about those letter-writing apologists: "Those who write such letters and those fellow travelers who allow themselves to believe them share responsibility for the almost unbelievable horrors which are being inflicted upon millions of wretched men and women, slowly done to death by hard labor and starvation in the Arctic cold".

The New York Times - Books

The response to the Syrian problem must encompass permanent long-term aid to further develop and reward Jordan for the burden being inflicted upon it now.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Hayden shot back that members of the CIA "have a soul and a conscience, too," and that they are well aware that their actions were inflicted upon other human beings: "So don't ever forget that," he stated.

Huffington Post

Blow after blow was inflicted upon my naked body.

The Guardian - Books

"Even when things are inflicted upon us, or we inflict them upon ourselves, we have great resiliency," Van Gundy said.

The New York Times - Sports

The pit, a negative image of the original tower, is the wound that was inflicted upon us collectively.

The New York Times - Arts

Notably, that "the petitioner limits each of its claims to the harm that may be inflicted upon United States persons".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being inflicted upon" when you want to emphasize the passive recipient of a negative action or experience. It adds a layer of formality and gravity to the situation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "being inflicted upon" if a more direct, active voice would make your writing clearer and more impactful. Sometimes specifying the actor causing the infliction strengthens your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being inflicted upon" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state where someone or something is the recipient of an action, typically a negative one. As Ludwig AI states, this is a valid and commonly used phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being inflicted upon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is employed to underscore the experience of receiving a negative action or suffering harm. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase carries a formal tone and emphasizes the receiver's perspective. When writing, consider using this phrase to highlight the impact of actions on individuals or groups, but be mindful of overusing the passive voice. Alternatives such as "being subjected to" may offer a more direct or nuanced expression, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being subjected to

Focuses on the experience of undergoing something, often unpleasant, with a slightly more formal tone.

being exposed to

Highlights the state of being open to something, implying a lack of protection.

being subjected to cruelty

Specifically denotes the action of being a victim of cruelty.

experiencing

Emphasizes the personal encounter with something.

undergoing

Implies a process or endurance of something, often medical or difficult.

suffering from

Directly states the negative impact of something on the subject.

on the receiving end of

Informal phrase indicating the target of an action.

enduring

Stresses the act of bearing something difficult or painful.

bearing the brunt of

Implies taking the main force or impact of something negative.

being a victim of

Highlights the state of being harmed by something or someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being inflicted upon" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "someone is inflicting harm on" or "they are subjecting someone to". The specific wording depends on the context.

What is the difference between "being subjected to" and "being inflicted upon"?

"Being subjected to" is a broader term, indicating that someone is made to undergo something. "Being inflicted upon" specifically implies that something negative or harmful is being imposed.

Is "being inflicted on" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "being inflicted on" is less common and generally considered less formal than "being inflicted upon". "Upon" adds a degree of emphasis or formality.

What words often follow "being inflicted upon"?

Common words following "being inflicted upon" include "people", "population", "community", "suffering", "harm", and "violence". These words reinforce the negative connotation of the phrase.