infected with

USAGE SUMMARY

"infected with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the condition of a person or the environment that has been affected by a disease-causing agent. For example, "The population of this city is infected with a rare virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of the 104 people infected with H.I.V. and 217 infected with hepatitis C, 78 have died.

The New York Times

People infected with C. diff.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some are infected with AIDS.

The New York Times - Books

Spaces infected with meaning.

Columbia University

Contained broccoli potentially infected with listeria.

The New York Times

He was also infected with HIV.

The Economist

Most individuals infected with HCV are asymptomatic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All animals are infected with biotic agents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

None were infected with H.I.V.

The New York Times

Plant infected with crown gall.

Britannica

Cauliflower roots infected with clubroot.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "infected with", ensure the context clearly specifies the disease, virus, or agent causing the infection for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "infected with" metaphorically when "affected by" or "influenced by" would be more appropriate. "Infected with" is best reserved for actual biological or digital contamination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infected with" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is affected by a disease-causing agent or harmful substance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infected with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of being affected by a disease-causing agent, virus, or harmful substance. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves the purpose of conveying information about contamination or illness, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "contaminated with" or ""affected by"" exist, "infected with" is best reserved for situations involving actual biological or digital contamination to prevent misuse. The phrase is highly prevalent across various authoritative sources, making it a reliable and standard expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contaminated with

Indicates the presence of unwanted or harmful substances, similar to being infected, but often used for inanimate objects or environments.

affected by

A broader term suggesting influence or impact, which can be physical or emotional, whereas "infected with" specifically implies a disease or harmful agent.

infested with

Typically used for parasites or pests, indicating a heavy or overwhelming presence, similar to infection but with a focus on external rather than internal agents.

diseased with

Specifically refers to a state of illness or sickness, similar to "infected with", but often implies a more chronic or progressed condition.

suffering from

Indicates a state of enduring pain or distress caused by something, including infections or diseases, but focuses on the experience of the affliction.

carrying

Implies the presence of a disease-causing agent without necessarily showing symptoms, differing from "infected with" where symptoms may be present.

stricken with

Suggests a sudden and severe affliction, which can include infections, but emphasizes the abruptness and intensity of the impact.

overrun by

Implies being overwhelmed or dominated by something, which could be a disease or infestation, differing from "infected with" in scale and impact.

plagued by

Indicates a persistent and widespread problem or affliction, similar to "infected with" but often used for societal or large-scale issues.

tainted by

Suggests a corruption or degradation of something, which can include infections, but often implies a moral or ethical dimension.

FAQs

How is "infected with" different from "affected by"?

"Infected with" specifically indicates the presence of a disease-causing agent, whereas "affected by" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of influence or impact, not necessarily harmful. You could say a wound is "affected by" bacteria but it is "infected with" an infectious disease.

What are some alternatives to "infected with" in a medical context?

Depending on the specific situation, alternatives might include "suffering from", "diseased with", or "carrying". Consider that "carrying" implies that a person can be asymptomatic.

Can "infected with" be used for computers or only living organisms?

While primarily used for living organisms, "infected with" can also describe computers or software "infected with" viruses or malware. However, it is better to avoid this usage unless the reader clearly gets your intent.

Is it correct to say someone is "infected by" instead of "infected with"?

While not as common, "infected by" can be used, but "infected with" is more standard and widely accepted. For example, "The plant was "infected by" a fungus" is acceptable, but "The plant was "infected with" a fungus" is more typical.