suffer greatly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'suffer greatly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing how somebody is feeling after experiencing a negative event. For example, "The refugees suffered greatly due to the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less fortunate countries would suffer greatly and immediately; more than what they are suffering now.

Huffington Post

The children suffer greatly.

The New Yorker

Africa as a continent "will suffer greatly", the report warns.

The Guardian

Then I imagine their corp will suffer greatly.

Stanford University

The animals suffer greatly, yet they live on and multiply.

The Guardian - Books

Women suffer greatly; men do at least as much.

The Economist

Were the currency to collapse, Germany would suffer greatly.

The New York Times

"To suffer and to suffer greatly was the point," the author observes.

The New York Times - Books

History will vindicate one of them, and the other's reputation will suffer greatly.

The New York Times - Books

That's a powerful piece of information for which the regime will suffer greatly".

The New York Times

In the absence of adaptive measures, these growers could suffer greatly.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffer greatly" to emphasize the severity and intensity of the suffering experienced by someone or something. This phrase is particularly effective when conveying a sense of profound impact or hardship.

Common error

While "suffer greatly" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical writing. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "experience significant adverse effects" for a more nuanced and precise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer greatly" functions as a verb phrase, where "suffer" is the main verb and "greatly" is an adverb modifying the verb to intensify the action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Examples show it describing intense negative experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffer greatly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey intense suffering or hardship. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news, media, scientific, and formal business settings, emphasizing the severity of a situation. While versatile, it's best to use it when the intensity of the suffering needs to be highlighted. Consider alternatives like "suffer immensely" or "endure significant hardship" for nuanced expressions. Be mindful of overuse in highly formal contexts, opting for more precise language when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer immensely

This alternative emphasizes the intensity of the suffering.

endure significant hardship

This phrase highlights the difficult conditions being endured.

experience severe distress

This alternative focuses on the emotional and psychological impact.

suffer grievous harm

This alternative indicates severe damage or injury.

be in deep agony

This phrase highlights the intense pain and anguish experienced.

be deeply affected

This option indicates a profound impact from a negative experience.

undergo considerable pain

This emphasizes the physical or emotional pain experienced.

bear a heavy burden

This phrase uses a metaphor to describe the suffering as a weight.

suffer profound consequences

This alternative highlights the long-term effects of the suffering.

be subjected to great hardship

This option presents the suffering as something imposed upon the individual or group.

FAQs

How can I use "suffer greatly" in a sentence?

You can use "suffer greatly" to describe the intense pain, hardship, or distress experienced by a person, animal, or entity. For example: "The refugees "suffer greatly" due to the war." or "The ecosystem will "suffer greatly" from pollution".

What are some alternatives to "suffer greatly"?

Some alternatives to "suffer greatly" include "suffer immensely", "endure significant hardship", or "experience severe distress". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "suffer greatly" or "suffer a lot"?

"Suffer greatly" is generally considered more formal and impactful than "suffer a lot". While both are acceptable, "suffer greatly" is often preferred in more serious or academic contexts, while "suffer a lot" is better used in casual conversations.

What does it mean to say someone will "suffer greatly"?

To say someone will "suffer greatly" means they will experience a significant amount of pain, hardship, or distress, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically. It emphasizes the severity of the suffering they will endure.