it was inflicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was inflicted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that has caused harm or suffering to someone or something. Example: "The pain was severe, and it was inflicted during the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

These voices matter because, by casting self-serving imperialism as what it is not and denying its destructive effects on those upon which it was inflicted, they make neo-colonialism glamorous.

The Guardian - Opinion

The process itself was the punishment, and it was inflicted almost exclusively on blacks and Latinos.

The New York Times

(Roshonda and her mother say it was inflicted in self-defense).

The New York Times

The Northern Ireland manager, Michael O'Neill, described the result and the way it was inflicted as "very, very cruel".

The Guardian - Sport

Woodfox believes it was inflicted on him because he joined the Black Panthers in prison, the "party" to which he refers.

The Guardian

Indeed, the fact that it was inflicted in stoppage time would normally have made it all too easy to write off as freakish, yet it actually neatly fitted a recent troubling trend.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

As quickly as the military spent its ammunition, though, it spent its money in an effort to heal some of the wounds it was inflicting, and those dealt by the militia as well.

The New York Times

And he laments not his misfortune — which he could accept, if it were inflicted deliberately, though unjustly — but its randomness and pointlessness.

The New York Times - Books

In others it is inflicted mainly by one side.

The Economist

Rather, it is inflicted by a payment system that prioritizes insurers' profits over human needs.

The New York Times - Health

What are the effects on those who observe it being inflicted?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it was inflicted" with a more active voice construction if appropriate, as active voice often makes writing more direct and engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "it was inflicted" without specifying who or what inflicted the harm. Vague subjects weaken the sentence and obscure meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was inflicted" functions as a passive construction, where "it" is the recipient of an action. This structure emphasizes the result of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig examples show its use in describing harm, damage, or suffering caused by an external force.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was inflicted" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the reception of something negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appears in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While the phrase effectively communicates the experience of harm or damage, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding the actor and to consider active voice alternatives for more direct writing. Though semantically similar alternatives like "it was imposed" or "it was caused" exist, they carry slightly different nuances. By understanding these subtleties, writers can employ "it was inflicted" with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was imposed

This alternative suggests a formal or authoritative application of something, differing from the more general harm implied by the original phrase.

it was caused

This is a more neutral and direct alternative, lacking the implication of intentional harm or suffering.

it was administered

This implies a controlled or measured application, often in a medical or formal context, reducing the sense of uncontrolled harm.

it was subjected to

This phrase emphasizes the experience of undergoing something, with less focus on the source of the action.

it was meted out

This alternative suggests a deserved or just application of something negative, which alters the original phrase's neutrality.

it was dealt

This alternative conveys a sense of distribution or handling of something negative, reducing the direct sense of causing harm.

it was visited upon

This phrase is more literary and suggests a sense of fate or external force, differing from a more direct cause.

it was visited on

This is a slightly archaic way of saying that something unpleasant happened to someone. It is more formal.

it was incurred

This suggests that something was brought upon oneself or happened as a result of one's actions, differing from being directly inflicted.

it was sustained

This highlights the endurance of something negative, shifting focus from the action of inflicting to the state of experiencing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was inflicted" to use the active voice?

To use the active voice, identify the actor and make them the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "The damage "it was inflicted" by the storm", you could say "The storm inflicted the damage".

What is the difference between "inflict" and "impose"?

"Inflict" generally refers to causing something negative (like pain or harm), while "impose" often refers to enforcing a rule, tax, or burden. While sometimes interchangeable, "inflict" carries a stronger connotation of suffering. Consider using "it was imposed" when talking about rules or burdens.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice with "it was inflicted"?

The passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the receiver of the action. For example, "The injury "it was inflicted" during the accident" emphasizes the injury rather than who caused it.

What are some alternatives to "it was inflicted" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives that maintain a formal tone include "it was administered", "it was meted out", or "it was dealt", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.