suffer from humility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffer from humility" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted in contexts discussing the negative effects of being overly humble or self-effacing, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "While humility is generally a virtue, some people may suffer from humility to the point of undermining their own achievements."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Few Devils suffer from humility.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The biggest mistake of the revolutionaries is to be divided, he said, and they will remain divided until they suffer from the humility of realizing that there cannot be a thousand leaders.

The New York Times

To hear him speak of the years-long "Kafkaesque" process it took to get "Being Flynn" made, Mr. Weitz seems to suffer from the opposite, an excess of humility.

The New York Times

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

I suffer from depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All suffer from oiliness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "suffer from humility", ensure the context clarifies that excessive humility is causing a problem, such as preventing someone from advocating for themselves or recognizing their own worth. Because of its unusual nature, make the intended meaning exceptionally clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "suffer from humility" when the intended meaning is simply "being humble". Humility is generally considered a virtue, so ensure the suffering arises from an excess of humility, such as failing to assert oneself or recognize one's accomplishments. Instead, consider using phrases like "struggling with assertiveness" or "lacking self-promotion skills" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer from humility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of being negatively affected by humility. The Ludwig AI suggests this expression is unusual, and the single example provides a specific instance of this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffer from humility" is a grammatically correct but uncommon expression used to describe the negative consequences of excessive humility. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's an unusual phrase, implying that humility, typically seen as a virtue, is causing distress or disadvantage. While grammatically sound, it necessitates careful contextualization to ensure clarity. More common alternatives, though still relatively infrequent, include "struggle with humility" or "have an excess of humility". When employing "suffer from humility", ensure that the writing clearly indicates that the excess of humility is the cause of the problem, preventing misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overly humble

Similar to "excessively modest" but emphasizes the degree of humility.

be excessively modest

Replaces "humility" with a related term, focusing on the outward expression of humility.

have an excess of humility

Highlights the idea that there can be too much humility, which can be detrimental.

struggle with humility

Focuses on the difficulty or effort involved in managing one's humility.

be hampered by one's own humility

Indicates that humility is hindering progress or success.

be burdened by humility

Suggests that humility is a heavy load or responsibility.

lack confidence due to humility

Connects humility to a specific negative consequence: a lack of confidence.

be plagued by humility

Indicates that humility is a persistent and troublesome issue.

downplay one's achievements because of humility

Focuses on how humility affects one's behavior in relation to their accomplishments.

be afflicted with humility

Presents humility as a condition that causes suffering or distress.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "suffer from humility"?

Yes, "suffer from humility" is grammatically correct, but it's not a commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it's unusual, suggesting it might need clarification in writing to ensure the meaning is clear.

What does it mean to "suffer from humility"?

To "suffer from humility" implies that someone's humility is causing them distress or disadvantage. This usually means they are too humble, leading to problems like not recognizing their own worth or failing to assert themselves.

What can I say instead of "suffer from humility" to express the same idea?

You could use alternatives like "be burdened by humility", "have an excess of humility", or "be overly humble" depending on the context. These emphasize that the humility is excessive and causing problems.

Is "suffer from humility" a common expression in English?

No, "suffer from humility" is not a common expression. Ludwig indicates it is a rare phrase. More common alternatives might be "struggle with humility" or "be plagued by humility", though these are still relatively uncommon.