marred by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marred by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is damaged or flawed by an occurrence or element. For example, "Her perfect day was marred by a sudden rainstorm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The race's tenth and final stage was marred by rain.

Wikipedia

It is sometimes marred by condescension.

The New York Times - Books

The parade has been marred by violence.

The New York Times

His administration was marred by corruption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But his triumph was marred by scandal.

The Economist

Unfortunately, the tournament was marred by tragedy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was marred by fraud and disorganisation.

The Economist

The opening speeches were marred by recriminations.

The Economist

The discovery was marred by controversy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Facebook's debut was marred by technical errors.

The New York Times

Sharon's private life was marred by tragedy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marred by", ensure the subject is something generally positive or desirable that has been negatively impacted. For example, "The beautiful scenery was marred by pollution."

Common error

Avoid using "marred by" for situations involving inherently negative events. Instead, reserve it for instances where something initially positive is spoiled. For example, it would be more accurate to say "affected by" in the sentence: "The city was affected by the hurricane".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marred by" functions as a passive verb construction. It describes a state where something has been negatively affected or damaged by a specific event or condition. This is evident in the examples Ludwig provides, such as "The parade has been marred by violence."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marred by" is a versatile and frequently used expression that describes something positive being negatively impacted. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and common across diverse sources, including News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. Its function is to convey disappointment, and its register is mostly neutral, lending itself to formal and informal writing styles. Remember to use "marred by" when a generally positive situation suffers from a negative element, and explore alternatives such as "tainted by" or "spoiled by" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tainted by

Suggests a staining or corruption, implying a moral or ethical flaw.

spoiled by

Implies that something good has been ruined or degraded.

plagued by

Indicates persistent trouble or suffering.

blemished by

Suggests a surface-level imperfection or flaw.

compromised by

Indicates a weakening or impairment of quality or integrity.

affected by

A more general term indicating influence, often negative.

impaired by

Indicates a reduction in function or quality.

damaged by

Suggests physical or non-physical harm or detriment.

overshadowed by

Indicates that something is less noticeable or important because of something else.

weakened by

Indicates a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "marred by" in a sentence?

Use "marred by" to describe something positive that is negatively affected by an unwanted element. For example, "The celebration was "marred by" unexpected rain".

What's the difference between "marred by" and "affected by"?

"Marred by" suggests a spoiling of something good, while "affected by" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a negative impact. A parade could be "marred by" violence, but simply "affected by" weather.

What are some alternatives to "marred by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tainted by", "spoiled by", or "blemished by" instead of "marred by".

Is "marred by" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "marred by" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it is widely used in various contexts, including news reports, academic texts, and general communication.