has been wracked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been wracked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of being tormented, troubled, or afflicted by something, often emotional or mental distress. Example: "She has been wracked with guilt ever since the incident occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The nation has been wracked by floods and bushfires.

The New Yorker

Since then, the party has been wracked by infighting.

The New York Times

Egypt has been wracked by violence since Morsi's overthrow.

The Guardian

The film has been wracked with problems since casting began in 2012.

Independent

The continent has been wracked by drought following one of the strongest ever El Niños.

The Guardian

Thailand has been wracked by political conflict since Thaksin was deposed seven years ago.

The Guardian

The region has been wracked by several other mudslides previously this week that had pushed the death toll to 150.

Princeton University

The society has been wracked by internal divisions which have seen director Judith Palmer and president Jo Shapcott leave.

The Guardian - Books

Detroit politics has been wracked by a series of corruption scandals, going back to the Coleman Young years.

The Washington Post

From bank bailouts and corporate scandals to the financial panic of 2008 and its lingering effects, corporate governance in America has been wracked by crises.

University of Pennsylvania

Teixeira, who has been wracked by the cough for about a month, said he was found to have nothing more serious than severe congestion in his bronchial passageways.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been wracked" to vividly describe situations marked by intense and prolonged distress or turmoil. This phrase adds a strong emotional layer to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been wracked" for trivial issues or minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for significant, deeply impactful scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been wracked" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It typically describes a subject that has experienced considerable suffering or turmoil. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is used to depict states of being tormented or deeply troubled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been wracked" is a versatile verb phrase used to convey a state of prolonged and intense suffering or turmoil. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various authoritative sources, particularly in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for situations that warrant its strong emotional weight and consider alternatives such as "has been plagued" or "has been afflicted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been plagued

Indicates a persistent and troublesome affliction, similar to being wracked, but emphasizes annoyance or irritation.

has been afflicted

Focuses on the suffering caused by something, sharing the sense of being troubled but highlighting the negative impact.

has been beset

Suggests being persistently troubled or harassed, close in meaning but with a nuance of being attacked.

has been tormented

Emphasizes mental or emotional suffering, conveying a stronger sense of distress than simply being wracked.

has suffered

A general term for experiencing hardship or distress, less specific than "has been wracked" but conveying a similar negative experience.

has been troubled

Indicates a state of worry or unease, sharing the sense of being bothered but with a lighter connotation.

has endured

Highlights the act of withstanding hardship, focusing on perseverance rather than the suffering itself.

has experienced

A more neutral term simply indicating the occurrence of something, lacking the negative connotation of "has been wracked".

has undergone

Similar to 'has experienced', focusing on the process of going through something, without necessarily implying distress.

has faced

Highlights confrontation with a challenge, lacking the implication of ongoing suffering present in 'has been wracked'.

FAQs

How can I use "has been wracked" in a sentence?

Use "has been wracked" to describe a situation or entity that has suffered greatly or been severely troubled, like "The country "has been wracked" by civil war."

What are some alternatives to "has been wracked"?

You can use alternatives like "has been plagued", "has been afflicted", or "has been tormented" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been wracked" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been wracked" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing serious or grave situations. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

What's the difference between "has been wracked" and "has been troubled"?

"Has been wracked" implies a more intense and prolonged period of suffering or turmoil, whereas "has been troubled" suggests a state of worry or unease, which is less severe.