inflicted upon us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inflicted upon us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been imposed or caused to happen to a group of people, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The hardships inflicted upon us during the crisis have left lasting scars on our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Stewart Lee hosted the final section in which he inflicted upon us the tedious musings of Kevin McAleer, using a series of unconnected slides to tell the story of his life.

Independent

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

The Guardian - Opinion

The pit, a negative image of the original tower, is the wound that was inflicted upon us collectively.

The New York Times - Arts

"Even when things are inflicted upon us, or we inflict them upon ourselves, we have great resiliency," Van Gundy said.

The New York Times - Sports

We must begin to address the sexual and emotional violence inflicted upon us by the police, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

And still, after the calamities, after all the disasters inflicted upon us by this elusive and cunning adversary, we haven't yet understood what we are up against.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

On paper it sounds like the kind of relentlessly miserable tale that Sundance occasionally chooses to inflict upon us.

The Guardian - Film

Increasingly, they seem to want to tell us how to live and think, or inflict upon us the strictures they choose to impose upon themselves.

The Guardian - Books

And a light picked out Lear on the lawn, a bereft father holding his dead daughter in his arms, walking toward us, as if in eternal lamentation of all the losses that life inflicts upon us.

The New York Times

The Labour government may be doomed, but the absurdist regime that it inflicts upon us – in an attempt to construct the perfectly ordered society – has life in it yet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although he had often, as thou dost know, thrown out these and similar things to shame us, he was not as yet satisfied with that but needs must inflict upon us from day to day new and ingenious kinds of confusion-as he recently proved in the case of our envoys.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inflicted upon us" when you want to emphasize the negative impact and the feeling of being acted upon by an external force. It is effective in conveying a sense of injustice or suffering experienced by a group.

Common error

Avoid using "inflicted upon us" in overly passive voice constructions that obscure the actor responsible for the action. Ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the inflicting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflicted upon us" functions as a passive construction, describing an action (infliction) that has been carried out, with the focus on the recipients (us) rather than the agent. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing the experience of hardship or injustice. According to Ludwig AI, this is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inflicted upon us" effectively conveys a sense of suffering or harm experienced by a group. It functions as a passive construction, emphasizing the impact of an action rather than the actor. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts. Its usage is considered uncommon, but primarily found in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, be mindful of maintaining clarity and avoiding overly passive constructions. Consider alternatives like "imposed on us" or "visited upon us" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imposed on us

This alternative is more direct and neutral, focusing on the act of imposing rather than the suffering.

forced upon us

Emphasizes the element of coercion or lack of choice.

visited upon us

This alternative is more formal and suggests a deliberate or fateful occurrence.

subjected to us

This alternative highlights the lack of agency and the experience of being acted upon.

suffered by us

This alternative focuses on the experience of suffering rather than the act of inflicting.

brought upon us

Suggests the cause originated either externally or internally due to one's actions.

endured by us

Similar to "suffered by us", but implies a greater degree of resilience and perseverance.

borne by us

This option is more formal and suggests a patient acceptance of something difficult.

meted out to us

This option is more formal and suggests a measured or deserved punishment.

caused to be experienced by us

A more verbose and descriptive way of expressing the same idea, suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

How is "inflicted upon us" used in a sentence?

The phrase "inflicted upon us" is used to describe something negative that has been imposed or caused to happen to a group of people. For example: "The hardships inflicted upon us during the crisis have left lasting scars on our community."

What's a good alternative to "inflicted upon us"?

Alternatives to "inflicted upon us" include "imposed on us", "visited upon us", or "suffered by us", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What does "inflicted upon us" imply?

The phrase "inflicted upon us" implies that a harm, suffering, or unwanted experience has been imposed on a group, often suggesting a lack of control or agency on the part of those affected. It suggests a negative and often unjust action.

When is it appropriate to use "inflicted upon us"?

Use "inflicted upon us" when you want to emphasize the negative impact of an action or event on a group, and when you want to convey a sense of injustice or suffering. It is most appropriate in formal or neutral contexts, as it carries a strong emotional connotation.