buried by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buried by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is overwhelmed or hidden beneath a larger quantity or mass, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "She felt buried by the endless responsibilities at work, struggling to keep up with deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was buried by the roadside.

The New Yorker

"They're being buried by regulations; they're being buried by taxes; they're being buried by borrowing.

The New York Times

Now buried by his beloved daughter.

The New York Times

INVESTORS are being buried by an avalanche of bad news.

The Economist

They're being buried by the Obama administration's economic failures".

The New York Times

(Anne is buried by the sea in Scarborough).

The New York Times

Immediately, he was buried by his team-mates.

The Guardian - Sport

His report was buried by the government in Paris.

The Guardian

They were buried by three first-period goals.

The Washington Post

The children were buried by the desert latrine.

The Times

"Borchgrevink's hut is literally being buried by guano.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "buried by" metaphorically, ensure the image is vivid and contributes to the overall impact of your writing. For example, instead of saying "He was overwhelmed by work", consider "He was buried by a mountain of paperwork."

Common error

Avoid using "buried by" when a simpler verb like "covered" or "hidden" would suffice. Overusing "buried by" in strictly literal scenarios can diminish its impact when used metaphorically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buried by" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a noun that is being covered, overwhelmed, or obscured by something else. Ludwig's examples illustrate both literal and figurative usages, showing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "buried by" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the idea of something being overwhelmed, concealed, or dominated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "overwhelmed by" or "concealed by" exist, "buried by" provides a vivid image of being covered or suppressed. Use it thoughtfully to enhance the impact of your writing, but be mindful of avoiding overuse in strictly literal contexts. Ludwig examples further emphasize its versatility and appropriateness in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed by

Indicates a feeling of being overpowered or inundated, similar to being "buried by" something.

concealed by

Focuses on the act of hiding or obscuring, akin to something being "buried by" something else.

hidden beneath

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical concealment, similar to being "buried by".

dominated by

Suggests being controlled or overshadowed, sharing the sense of being overwhelmed as in "buried by".

smothered by

Implies being suppressed or suffocated, analogous to being "buried by" something.

submerged in

Indicates being deeply immersed or covered, similar to the effect of being "buried by".

inundated with

Suggests being flooded or overwhelmed, sharing the feeling of being "buried by".

covered with

Focuses on the physical aspect of being overlaid, similar to being "buried by".

obscured by

Emphasizes the act of something being made unclear or hidden, akin to being "buried by".

weighed down by

Indicates being burdened or oppressed, sharing the sense of being overwhelmed as in "buried by".

FAQs

How can I use "buried by" in a sentence?

You can use "buried by" to describe something that is overwhelmed or hidden, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "The city was "buried by snow"" or "She felt "buried by responsibilities" at work".

What's the difference between "overwhelmed by" and "buried by"?

"Buried by" suggests a more complete covering or concealing, while "overwhelmed by" implies being emotionally or mentally overpowered. You might be "overwhelmed by emotions", but "buried by work".

Which is correct, "buried by" or "smothered by"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Buried by" suggests being completely covered or concealed, while "smothered by" implies being suppressed or suffocated. Choose the phrase that best fits the context. For example, "The truth was "smothered by lies"" while "The town was "buried by ash"".

What are some alternatives to "buried by"?

Alternatives include "overwhelmed by", "concealed by", "hidden beneath", or "dominated by", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.