hit by

USAGE SUMMARY

"hit by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone being physically or emotionally impacted by something else. Here are a few examples: 1. The car was hit by a sudden gust of wind, causing it to swerve off the road. 2. She was hit by a wave of sadness as she thought about her deceased father. 3. The town was hit by a devastating tornado, leaving many homes destroyed. 4. The economy was hit by a recession, causing many businesses to close. 5. The child was hit by a ball during the baseball game and had to be taken to the hospital for a concussion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are hit by shrapnel.

The Economist

Being hit by a car.

Independent

She was hit by four bullets.

The New York Times

Get engaged, get hit by ads.

The New Yorker

JOHN SEABROOK: Never been hit by one.

The New Yorker

He gets hit by a combination.

The New York Times - Sports

People are getting hit by bikes.

The New Yorker

"They are being hit by stray bullets".

Independent

Unfortunately, our compound was hit by R.P.G".

The New Yorker

It was almost hit by a bus.

Independent

Who was hit by a car.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event with a negative impact, use "hit by" to convey a sense of suddenness or force. For less dramatic or more general effects, consider alternatives like "affected by" or "impacted by".

Common error

While "hit by" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced alternatives like "affected by", "influenced by", or "subjected to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit by" functions primarily as a passive construction following a verb of action, indicating that the subject has been acted upon or affected by something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples, such as "She was hit by four bullets" and "People are getting hit by bikes."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hit by" is a versatile and frequently used construction to describe being impacted or affected by something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more precise alternatives like "affected by" or "impacted by" in formal writing. Understanding these nuances can help improve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struck by

Similar to "hit", but can also imply a sudden or surprising event.

impacted by

Replaces the verb "hit" with "impacted", suggesting a similar but potentially broader or more abstract effect.

affected by

A more general term for being influenced or changed by something, less forceful than "hit".

damaged by

Focuses on the resulting harm or impairment caused by something.

overcome by

Suggests being strongly affected by an emotion or feeling.

harmed by

Similar to "damaged by", but slightly broader in scope.

suffered from

Implies a negative consequence or hardship resulting from something.

subjected to

Suggests being exposed to something, often unpleasant or unwanted.

afflicted with

Implies suffering from a disease or ailment.

experienced

A neutral term for undergoing or encountering something, without necessarily implying a forceful impact.

FAQs

What does "hit by" mean?

"Hit by" generally means to be struck, affected, or impacted by something, often suddenly or forcefully.

What can I say instead of "hit by"?

You can use alternatives like "impacted by", "affected by", or "struck by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone was "hit by" an idea?

Yes, "hit by" can be used figuratively to describe someone suddenly understanding or being strongly influenced by an idea or realization.

What's the difference between "affected by" and "hit by"?

"Affected by" is a more general term for being influenced, while "hit by" implies a more sudden, forceful, or impactful experience. For example, a town might be "affected by" a recession, but "hit by" a hurricane.