inflicted with

USAGE SUMMARY

"inflicted with" is correct and usable in written English.
You use the phrase "inflicted with" when you want to describe someone or something receiving an unpleasant or undesired consequence, usually due to the action of another person or entity. For example: "The village was inflicted with economic hardship due to the destruction caused by the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

He had a broken arm and there were cuts in his back apparently inflicted with a knife.

The New York Times - Science

"Just as I'd expected, people were surprised to see me as just a normal guy inflicted with this disease".

The New York Times

Most bodies had visible wounds, inflicted with something blunt or something with a sharp edge, he said.

The New York Times

Does the laboratory, like the prison, provide a special kind of environment in which pain can be inflicted with approval?

The Guardian - Opinion

There was serious bodily harm inflicted with a dangerous weapon — the definition of aggravated second-degree battery.

The New York Times

Even perfectly ordinary trousers and tops can sometimes look odd because short people aren't just inflicted with short legs; we're short all over.

The Guardian - Travel

And yet, after prolonged viewing, every crack, dent, and crumbling texture seems specific and intended, as if destruction could be inflicted with finesse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

One historian has claimed that the stigmata from which Padre Pio famously suffered were actually self-inflicted with acid.

Independent

We see images of Ms. Goldin's latest round of rehab and deep burns in one arm, apparently self-inflicted with cigarettes.

The New York Times

"The third goal especially was self-inflicted with a straight pass.

BBC

Part of the damage has been self-inflicted, with Hatcher walking a career-high 6.4 batters per nine innings.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inflicted with" to clearly convey that an entity has undesirably received something negative from an external source or action. This phrasing emphasizes the imposition of the condition.

Common error

Avoid using "affected by" when you specifically want to highlight the imposition of something negative. "Affected by" is more neutral, while "inflicted with" stresses the undesirable imposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflicted with" functions as a passive construction describing a state of being negatively affected by an external force. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The phrase indicates that someone or something has undesirably received an imposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inflicted with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something that has been negatively affected by an external force. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. It's important to note that "inflicted with" is used to emphasize the imposition of something undesirable, differentiating it from more neutral phrases like "affected by". When using "inflicted with", ensure clarity and directness to convey the intended sense of burden or suffering. Remember that there are also many alternative phrases that can be used in its place, such as stricken with or afflicted with, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stricken with

Focuses on the sudden and often severe impact of a disease or misfortune.

afflicted with

Similar to "inflicted with", but often implies a more prolonged or chronic suffering.

burdened with

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty caused by something.

beset by

Suggests being persistently troubled or harassed by something.

plagued by

Indicates a recurring or widespread problem.

troubled by

Implies a state of worry or concern caused by something.

suffering from

Highlights the experience of pain or distress.

affected by

A more general term indicating influence or impact, often negative.

subject to

Indicates a vulnerability or likelihood of experiencing something.

undergoing

Focuses on the process of experiencing something, usually unpleasant.

FAQs

How is "inflicted with" used in a sentence?

The phrase "inflicted with" is used to describe someone or something that has been negatively affected or burdened by something else. For example, "The town was inflicted with a severe drought" or "He was inflicted with a debilitating illness".

What are some alternatives to "inflicted with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stricken with", "afflicted with", or "burdened with" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "affected with" instead of "inflicted with"?

While "affected with" might be grammatically correct, it doesn't carry the same connotation of something negative being imposed. "Inflicted with" is specifically used when something undesirable is imposed on someone or something. Using "affected by" will imply a general influence or impact, without the negative connotation.

What is the difference between "inflicted with" and "suffering from"?

"Inflicted with" implies that something negative has been imposed, while "suffering from" focuses on the experience of pain or distress. You might say someone is "inflicted with" a disease and is therefore "suffering from" its symptoms.