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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less inflicted by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less inflicted by" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a reduced impact or suffering from something, but it is not a commonly used or grammatically correct construction. Example: "The community was less inflicted by the recent economic downturn compared to last year."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
It is plausible to think that after a certain period, the patient becomes more of a tenant, less inflicted by nosocomial threats.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
It lacks compensation in static and slowly evolving environments, where clones win, but in dynamic environments that are persistently antagonistic and impose lag loads, the costs of males and outcrossing in sexual reproduction are less than those inflicted by the environment on clonal fitness.
Science
The news media, which are deeply nationalistic, are much less likely to report violence inflicted by the Indian state in Kashmir.
News & Media
To the campaigners who have vigorously opposed it, the threatened demolition seems no less wanton destruction than that inflicted by the riots.
News & Media
Post-war assessments found that the damage caused to industrial buildings by even 16 inches naval shells was less than that which could be inflicted by the 2000 pound and 1000 pound general-purpose bombs which were used by Allied naval aircraft, however.
Wiki
As he wrote: "Horrible as sexual abuse no doubt was, the damage was arguably less than the long-term psychological damage inflicted by bringing the child up Catholic in the first place".
News & Media
Less well-studied was the substantial damage inflicted by alien species, which appeared to harm 49% of plants and animals listed.
Science & Research
Ingram died less than a month later from wounds inflicted by Webster.
News & Media
Obviously, any neuronal loss inflicted by APP.SLA is much less, or occurs much slower than the intense, rapid pyramidal neurodegeneration provoked by wild-type and mutant tau in this paradigm.
Science
Beef is a C$4 billion ($3 billion) industry in Alberta, as synonymous with the province as oil and wheat.The economic damage inflicted by SARS had been no less swift.
News & Media
The damage inflicted by the Luftwaffe was far less than the Germans thought.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "less affected by" or "less impacted by" for clearer communication. Using these alternatives ensures your writing is easily understood and avoids potential confusion.
Common error
Avoid using "inflicted" when a more general term like "affected" or "impacted" is more appropriate. "Inflict" typically implies a deliberate or forceful action causing harm, which may not always be the intended meaning. If you need to express something that causes less harm, then consider using the adjective "minor" or the verb "cause", as in "cause less harm".
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less inflicted by" attempts to express a reduced degree of suffering or negative impact. However, according to Ludwig, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "less inflicted by" aims to convey a reduced negative impact, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, alternatives like "less affected by" or "less impacted by" are more appropriate and widely accepted. Although it appears in various contexts, including news and scientific articles, opting for grammatically sound alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential confusion. Thus, while the intent is understandable, sticking to established phrasing will improve your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
less affected by
Replaces "inflicted" with "affected", indicating a more general influence rather than direct harm.
less impacted by
Substitutes "inflicted" with "impacted", suggesting a reduced consequence or result.
less harmed by
Uses "harmed" instead of "inflicted", emphasizing a reduced degree of damage or injury.
less damaged by
Replaces "inflicted" with "damaged", focusing on a reduced level of physical or structural harm.
less troubled by
Employs "troubled" in place of "inflicted", suggesting a lessened state of disturbance or difficulty.
less influenced by
Substitutes "inflicted" with "influenced", indicating a weaker effect on something.
less constrained by
Replaces "inflicted" with "constrained", focusing on reduced limitations or restrictions.
less burdened by
Uses "burdened" instead of "inflicted", implying a reduced weight or responsibility.
less oppressed by
Substitutes "inflicted" with "oppressed", indicating a reduced state of being suppressed or controlled.
less subjected to
Replaces "inflicted by" with "subjected to", indicating a lesser degree of exposure to something.
FAQs
What does "less inflicted by" mean?
The phrase "less inflicted by" is intended to convey that something experiences a reduced degree of harm or negative impact. However, it is not standard English. It's better to use phrases like "less affected by" or "less impacted by".
What are some alternatives to "less inflicted by"?
Instead of "less inflicted by", you can use alternatives like "less affected by", "less impacted by", or "less harmed by". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.
Is "less inflicted by" grammatically correct?
No, "less inflicted by" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The passive voice construction is awkward. It is better to use "less affected by" which is grammatically sound and widely accepted.
How can I use "less affected by" correctly in a sentence?
You can use "less affected by" in a sentence like this: "The community was less affected by the recent economic downturn compared to last year." This indicates that the community experienced fewer negative consequences from the downturn.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested