causing misery for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing misery for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the impact of an action or situation that leads to suffering or unhappiness for someone or a group. Example: "The ongoing conflict is causing misery for the local population, who are struggling to find basic necessities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Is it causing misery for the class?

The New York Times

Our airport space and traffic control systems are greatly overstretched, causing misery for American passengers.

The New York Times

This injustice has been causing misery for years, and successive governments have failed to do something about it.

The Guardian - Money

"Bovine TB is a devastating disease that is causing misery for dairy and livestock farmers across the countryside.

The Guardian

Growing mountains of tumbleweed are causing misery for residents in the Australian city of Wangaratta, who are forced to spend hours clearing them up every day.

Independent

The issues led to major disruptions at London Bridge, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Waterloo East stations, causing misery for passengers during rush hour.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Clinical depression causes misery for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

The Guardian

This has caused misery for millions of motorists up and down the country.

Independent

The ERM destroyed jobs and caused misery for families across the country.

The Guardian

THE accounting scandal at WorldCom has caused misery for investors, creditors and employees of the telecoms firm.

The Economist

Its punctuality figures have also caused misery for customers on key services into London's Paddington station.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causing misery for", ensure the subject clearly identifies the source of the misery and the object specifies who is affected. Clarity is key for impactful writing.

Common error

Avoid using "causing misery for" excessively in contexts where the impact is mild or exaggerated. Choose more nuanced language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing misery for" functions as a causative expression, indicating that something or someone is the reason behind the suffering experienced by others. It highlights the direct link between a cause and its detrimental effect, aligning with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causing misery for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations or actions that inflict suffering on a specific group. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid exaggeration and maintain credibility. Consider alternatives such as "inflicting distress upon" or "creating hardship for" to tailor the language to the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subjecting to misery

Highlights the state of being subjected to suffering.

creating hardship for

Highlights the practical difficulties caused.

bringing suffering to

Emphasizes the experience of pain or hardship.

making life difficult for

Highlights the challenges and obstacles faced.

inflicting distress upon

Focuses on the emotional impact, using more formal language.

imposing difficulties on

Focuses on the act of placing burdens or obstacles.

leading to sorrow for

Focuses on the emotional consequence of an action.

causing grief to

Emphasizes deep sorrow or mourning.

wreaking havoc on

Implies widespread destruction and disruption.

tormenting

Implies persistent and severe suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "causing misery for" in a sentence?

Use "causing misery for" to describe situations or actions that result in significant suffering or hardship for a specific group. For example, "The economic crisis is causing misery for many families."

What are some alternatives to "causing misery for"?

You can use alternatives like "inflicting distress upon", "bringing suffering to", or "creating hardship for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "causing misery to" or "causing misery for"?

"Causing misery for" is generally preferred when referring to a group or category of people. "Causing misery to" is also grammatically correct, but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "causing misery for" and "causing hardship for"?

"Causing misery for" generally implies a deeper level of suffering, encompassing emotional and psychological distress, while "causing hardship for" focuses more on practical difficulties and material deprivation. Both "causing misery for" and "causing hardship for" can be used to describe a difficult situation.