bring suffering upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring suffering upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of causing pain or distress to someone or something, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "The tyrant sought to bring suffering upon his enemies, showing no mercy in his quest for power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Are its causes internal, and does one bring suffering upon oneself through arrogance, infatuation, or the tendency to overreach?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, as late as 1845, when the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland, preachers all over England and America were warning their impressionably evangelical flocks that the Irish had brought suffering upon themselves with slothful and ungodly agriculture.

The New Yorker

But if you stand back, you'll see that victims in such situations are deliberately bringing suffering upon themselves, which not only confirms their powerlessness, it encourages it to grow and grow.

Huffington Post

A curse seemed to hang over the family, making men sin in spite of themselves and bringing suffering and death down upon the innocent as well as the guilty".

The New York Times

The dictatorship brought suffering and havoc.

The New York Times

Rather than bringing democracy to Cuba, it brings suffering and repression.

The New York Times

It blindly brings suffering, even death, to the women whose lives it touches.

Independent

Samuel Johnson pointed out that an appeal to conscience should not allow the law to bring unjust suffering upon another.

Wikipedia

Others at City Hall took a far different tack, saying that it was the public housing residents, in many cases, who brought the suffering upon themselves.

The New York Times

In May 1930, he said, "We have been passing through one of those great economic storms which periodically bring hardship and suffering upon our people" and urged business and labor "to avoid accelerating the depression by the hardship and disarrangement of strikes and lockouts".

The New York Times - Magazine

Schizophrenia does not necessarily bring unending suffering.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring suffering upon" when you want to convey a sense of formality or gravity in your writing. This phrase is suitable for discussing serious consequences or deliberate actions that cause harm.

Common error

Avoid using "bring suffering upon" in casual or informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "cause pain" or "make someone suffer" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring suffering upon" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of causing hardship or distress. Ludwig's examples show it often appears in contexts discussing consequences of actions or policies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring suffering upon" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe causing pain or distress. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase often appears in formal contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. While not the most common expression, it effectively conveys a sense of gravity and consequence. When writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "cause suffering to" or "inflict pain on" in less formal settings to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict suffering on

Replaces "bring" with "inflict" focusing on the direct action of causing suffering.

cause suffering to

Substitutes "bring upon" with "cause to", emphasizing the causation of suffering.

impose suffering on

Uses "impose" to suggest a forceful application of suffering.

visit suffering on

Employs "visit" to portray suffering as something inflicted or bestowed.

wreak havoc on

Replaces "suffering" with "havoc", indicating widespread damage and distress.

bring hardship to

Substitutes "suffering" with "hardship", focusing on difficulties and privations.

cause distress to

Replaces "suffering" with "distress", highlighting emotional or mental anguish.

inflict pain on

Uses "pain" instead of "suffering", emphasizing physical or emotional hurt.

exact a toll on

Employs "exact a toll" to suggest a heavy cost or burden resulting in suffering.

precipitate anguish in

Replaces the whole expression to suggest to generate a sensation of deep sorrow, pain, or suffering.

FAQs

What does "bring suffering upon" mean?

The phrase "bring suffering upon" means to cause pain, distress, or hardship to someone or something. It often implies a deliberate or consequential action that results in negative outcomes.

How can I use "bring suffering upon" in a sentence?

You can use "bring suffering upon" to describe actions that lead to negative consequences, such as "The tyrant's policies "inflicted suffering on" the populace".

What are some alternatives to "bring suffering upon"?

Alternatives include "cause suffering to", "inflict pain on", or "impose suffering on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bring suffering upon" a formal expression?

Yes, "bring suffering upon" tends to be more formal and is often found in literature, historical texts, or serious discussions. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases like "cause pain" might be more appropriate.