mortified by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mortified by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of deep embarrassment or shame caused by something specific. Example: "She was mortified by her mistake during the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

LSE is rightly mortified by the leaflets.

Independent

"I was mortified by this, horrified.

BBC

I was mortified by this tension.

The New Yorker

I'm mortified by what's happened.

The Guardian

The parents were mortified by this discovery.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her parents were mortified by her trip.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Keller was mortified by the error.

The New York Times

I was also mortified by my illiteracy.

The New York Times - Magazine

You're mortified by what you were like.

The Guardian

They were startled, mortified by their ignorance.

The New Yorker

I was appalled at myself, mortified by my negligence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mortified by" when you want to express a strong feeling of shame or embarrassment caused by a specific event or action. Ensure the context warrants such a strong emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "mortified by" in situations that only warrant mild embarrassment or discomfort. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mortified by" typically functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme embarrassment or shame. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a strong emotional response to a specific cause or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mortified by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of shame or embarrassment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is considered correct, it's important to consider the intensity of the emotion and the appropriateness of the context. For milder situations, alternatives such as "embarrassed by" or "ashamed of" might be more fitting. Use "mortified by" when you want to highlight significant emotional discomfort caused by a specific event or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ashamed of

Replaces "mortified" with "ashamed", focusing more on internal guilt or wrongdoing.

humiliated by

Focuses on the feeling of having one's pride or dignity damaged.

embarrassed by

Uses "embarrassed" instead of "mortified", suggesting a milder form of discomfort or awkwardness.

appalled by

Emphasizes shock and disgust rather than shame or embarrassment.

dismayed by

Highlights disappointment and discouragement as a result of something.

aghast at

Suggests a feeling of great horror or shock.

chagrined by

Indicates a feeling of vexation marked by disappointment or humiliation.

distressed by

Focuses on the feeling of being upset and anxious.

taken aback by

Highlights surprise and mild shock rather than deep shame or embarrassment.

disconcerted by

Emphasizes a feeling of disturbance and loss of composure.

FAQs

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

Use "mortified by" to express a feeling of extreme embarrassment or shame caused by something. For example, "I was mortified by my mistake during the presentation."

What can I say instead of "mortified by"?

You can use alternatives like "ashamed of", "embarrassed by", or "humiliated by" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "mortified by"?

It's appropriate to use "mortified by" when describing a situation that causes intense shame, humiliation, or embarrassment. Ensure the intensity of the emotion aligns with the situation described.

What's the difference between "embarrassed by" and "mortified by"?

"Embarrassed by" suggests a milder feeling of awkwardness or discomfort, while "mortified by" implies a much stronger feeling of shame and humiliation. The choice depends on the severity of the situation.