inflicted upon

USAGE SUMMARY

'inflicted upon' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a negative consequence that someone has suffered. For example, "The students were forced to endure the punishments inflicted upon them by their teacher".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Blow after blow was inflicted upon my naked body.

The Guardian - Books

The horrors inflicted upon her by Alzheimer's cannot be understated.

The New York Times

The disaster was the greatest single loss of life inflicted upon any polar expedition.

The Guardian

while talking to me about your boss, the latest absurdities inflicted upon you.

The New York Times - Books

However, we must consider not just physical pain, but pain inflicted upon one's pride.

The Guardian - Opinion

She declined to comment on Pizza Hut's gastronomic delights, having not had them inflicted upon her.

The Guardian

We know the explanation for any injuries inflicted upon us: "She likes it rough".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Further, there is plenty of documentation on the abuse and tortures inflicted upon POWs.

The Guardian - Film

Clearly, the traumas inflicted upon black female bodies mattered little in his eyes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Baby P... My mind boggles at the amount of violence inflicted upon children in today's society".

The Guardian - Film

The immensity of the pain that Roof has inflicted upon Charleston is not contained by geography.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inflicted upon" to emphasize that harm or suffering was deliberately caused, rather than accidental. It's stronger than simply saying something was 'caused' or 'experienced'.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "inflicted upon". Ensure the actor causing the infliction is clear, even if implied. Overusing passive constructions can make your writing sound weak or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflicted upon" typically functions as a prepositional phrase following a verb, often in the passive voice. It modifies a noun by indicating the recipient of a negative action or consequence, emphasizing that something unpleasant was imposed on someone or something. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the phrase underscores the action of causing pain, damage, or suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inflicted upon" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the act of imposing something negative on someone or something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used in news, media, and scientific writing to emphasize the impact of harm or suffering. While alternatives like "imposed on" or "subjected to" exist, "inflicted upon" carries a stronger connotation of deliberate action and negative consequences. When writing, it's best practice to clarify who or what is doing the inflicting and to avoid overuse of the passive voice. The phrase is versatile, applicable in both formal and neutral registers, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imposed on

Focuses on the act of enforcing something, such as a rule or a burden.

subjected to

Implies being made to experience something, often unpleasant.

perpetrated against

Emphasizes the act of committing a crime or harmful action.

visited upon

Emphasizes a consequence or punishment that befalls someone.

meted out to

Highlights the act of distributing something, often a punishment or treatment.

wreaked on

Highlights causing extensive damage or harm.

carried out on

Focuses on the execution of an action, often with negative implications.

exacted on

Stresses the demanding or taking of something, such as revenge or a toll.

caused to

A more general way of saying something was the reason of something happened, the harm or damage is not that explicit.

bestowed upon

Implies giving something, although in some contexts it can be used sarcastically to refer to negative things.

FAQs

How do I use "inflicted upon" in a sentence?

Use "inflicted upon" to show that a negative action or consequence was imposed on someone or something. For example, "The damage "inflicted upon" the city was extensive".

What are some alternatives to "inflicted upon"?

You can use alternatives like "imposed on", "visited upon", or "subjected to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "inflicted on" or "inflicted upon"?

"Inflicted upon" and "inflicted on" are often interchangeable, but "inflicted upon" can lend a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. In most contexts, both are acceptable.

What is the difference between "inflicted upon" and "caused by"?

"Inflicted upon" suggests a direct and often deliberate action that resulted in harm, whereas "caused by" is a more general term indicating the reason for something. "The pain "inflicted upon" the prisoners was inhumane," versus "The damage was caused by the storm".