suffer from

USAGE SUMMARY

"suffer from" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something that is affected by an illness or other type of physical or mental problem. For example, "After spending years in the sun, she began to suffer from skin cancer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both suffer from neglect.

The Economist

We suffer from this.

The New York Times

Both suffer from unhealthy air.

The New York Times

They suffer from culture-gravity.

The New Yorker

"Actors suffer from it, too.

Independent

You suffer from it, too?

The New Yorker

Suffer from pain?

Stanford University

I suffer from Francophilia.

The Guardian - Film

"I suffer from PTSD.

The Guardian - Music

I suffer from depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All suffer from oiliness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffer from", be specific about the condition or problem being experienced to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They suffer from problems", specify "They suffer from financial problems".

Common error

Avoid using "suffer from" too broadly without specifying what is causing the suffering. Saying "The company suffers from issues" is less effective than stating "The company suffers from poor management and declining sales".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suffer from" is to act as a verb phrase that describes a state of being negatively affected by something, typically an illness or adverse condition. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates the experience of pain, distress, or hardship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suffer from" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the experience of hardship or negative impact resulting from a condition or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is deemed correct in written English. It is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and offers a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "suffer from", specify the condition or problem to enhance clarity. Common alternatives include "experience" or "struggle with". The phrase is frequently employed by authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist, underscoring its acceptance and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be afflicted with

Implies a more severe and ongoing condition affecting the person.

struggle with

Highlights the effort and difficulty in dealing with something.

experience

Focuses on undergoing something, often negative, but not necessarily involving chronic distress.

be troubled by

Suggests a state of worry or disturbance caused by something.

be burdened by

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty caused by something.

be impaired by

Indicates a reduction in function or ability due to something.

be a victim of

Implies being harmed or negatively affected by something, often external.

be hampered by

Suggests being restricted or slowed down by something.

endure

Focuses on bearing something difficult or painful over a period of time.

undergo

Highlights the experience of going through something, often challenging.

FAQs

What does it mean to "suffer from" something?

To "suffer from" something means to experience pain, distress, or hardship as a result of a particular condition, illness, or problem.

What are some alternatives to "suffer from"?

Alternatives include "experience", "be afflicted with", or "struggle with", depending on the context.

How do I use "suffer from" in a sentence?

Use "suffer from" to indicate that someone or something is negatively affected by a condition. For example, "She suffers from chronic migraines" or "The economy suffers from high unemployment".

Is it better to say "suffer from" or "have" a condition?

While both are acceptable, "suffer from" emphasizes the negative impact of the condition, whereas "have" is more neutral. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the intended tone and context. For example, "He has diabetes" is less dramatic than "He suffers from diabetes".