condition has befallen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "condition has befallen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or circumstance that has occurred, often with a negative connotation. Example: "A strange condition has befallen the town, causing widespread concern among the residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now the same condition has befallen America's Republican revolutionaries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Soon afterward, the house, which was in poor condition, was demolished, a fate that has befallen a number of Rudolph's projects in recent years.

The New York Times

"A misfortune has befallen you.

The Guardian - Music

Now the same fate has befallen another brave Polish president.

The Economist

"The province has struck again and victory has befallen Alkmaar".

The Guardian - Sport

Ill fortune has befallen the family ever since, Ms. Mwakiru said.

The New York Times

Some do not mind the attention that has befallen Florida.

The New York Times

Now that such a fate has befallen his country, his stance has altered.

Independent

This unflattering fate has befallen 900 of the 4,500 participating companies.The exposure has not gone unnoticed.

The Economist

I find out what catastrophe has befallen the world — what landslide, what tsunami.

The New York Times

Her interlocutors all agree that a terrible fate has befallen the family of the bespectacled boy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "condition has befallen" when you want to emphasize the unfortunate or unexpected nature of a situation. It is best suited for formal writing or when adding a touch of gravity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "condition has befallen" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Simpler phrases like "something happened" or "there's a situation" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "condition has befallen" functions as a descriptor of a situation or event, often implying negativity or misfortune. As Ludwig suggests, it describes an occurrence that impacts a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "condition has befallen" is a grammatically correct descriptor used to denote a situation or event, typically with an implication of misfortune. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, though more appropriate for formal contexts. While versatile, its formal tone suggests caution in informal use. Alternative phrases like "situation has arisen" offer simpler and potentially more accessible options. The contexts where this phrase seems to be most appropriate are News & Media and Formal & Business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumstance has occurred

Replaces "condition" with "circumstance" and "befallen" with "occurred", offering a more neutral tone.

situation has arisen

Substitutes "condition" with "situation" and "befallen" with "arisen", suggesting the start of a new state of affairs.

fate has transpired

Replaces "condition" with "fate" and "befallen" with "transpired", emphasizing an inevitable outcome.

misfortune has struck

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and negative connotation, highlighting the unfortunate aspect.

tragedy has unfolded

Implies a more serious and impactful event than the original phrase, focusing on the unfolding nature of a tragedy.

event has taken place

A more neutral substitute, suitable when the "condition" isn't necessarily negative.

development has unfolded

Highlights the unfolding nature of the circumstance.

state of affairs has emerged

More formal and emphasizes the emergence of a new situation.

predicament has arisen

Emphasizes the difficult nature of the situation.

setback has occurred

Specifically describes a negative event that has hindered progress.

FAQs

How can I use "condition has befallen" in a sentence?

You can use "condition has befallen" to describe an unfortunate or unexpected event that has occurred. For example, "A strange condition has befallen the town, causing widespread concern."

What phrases are similar to "condition has befallen"?

Similar phrases include "situation has arisen", "circumstance has occurred", or "fate has transpired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "condition has befallen" formal or informal?

"Condition has befallen" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler expressions might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "condition has befallen" and "something happened"?

"Condition has befallen" implies a more significant or unfortunate event than "something happened", which is a neutral and general statement.