suffer wound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffer wound" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of experiencing an injury, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "During the battle, many soldiers suffer wounds that require immediate medical attention."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the short-term patients may suffer wound breakdown or infection, while in the long-term lower limb lymphedema and erysipelas (type of skin infection) can occur beyond 1 year (van der Zee et al, 2008).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Today, we recall the fallen, and those who suffer wounds seen and unseen.

The New York Times

More than 400 British families of the fallen will suffer wounds of grief that will never heal.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a tough market, many of those who haven't planned suffer wounds.

TechCrunch

“Immortality doesn’t mean we can’t suffer wounds or feel pain.

Forbes

It is our lot that each of us will suffer wounds of the heart.

Huffington Post

He suffered wounds and fame alike.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Kubinski suffered wounds from his armpit to his thigh.

The New York Times

The medical examiner said she suffered wounds to the face, neck, chest, arms and hands.

The New York Times

Eight members of the security forces suffered wounds that were not life threatening.

The Guardian

Marissa Boyd-Stangley, 19, suffered wounds to her head and body and died.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for established phrases like "sustain a wound" or "sustain an injury" for clarity and grammatical correctness. These alternatives are widely accepted and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "suffer wound" in academic or professional writing. While "suffer" correctly conveys experiencing something negative, it's not idiomatically paired with "wound". Instead, use "sustain a wound" or a more descriptive phrase related to the specific injury.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer wound" functions as a verb phrase where "suffer" is meant to act as a transitive verb describing the experience of receiving a "wound". However, according to Ludwig AI, this specific collocation is not considered standard or grammatically correct in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "suffer wound" might seem intuitively correct, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not standard English. The intended meaning—experiencing a physical injury—can be more effectively and grammatically conveyed using alternatives like "sustain a wound" or "receive an injury". These phrases are more common, appropriate for formal writing, and less likely to cause confusion. Therefore, it's best to avoid "suffer wound" in favor of these established alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain an injury

Replaces "suffer wound" with a more formal and common way to describe receiving a physical injury.

sustain a wound

Uses "sustain" instead of "suffer" for a more grammatically correct expression of receiving a wound.

receive an injury

Indicates that someone has been given or has obtained an injury.

receive a wound

Replaces "suffer" with "receive" to indicate the act of getting a wound.

endure an injury

Implies bearing the pain or hardship associated with an injury.

endure a wound

Focuses on withstanding the pain caused by a wound, rather than merely receiving it.

incur an injury

Highlights the consequence of an action or event resulting in an injury.

incur a wound

Emphasizes the action that led to the wound being received.

be wounded

Uses a passive construction to describe the state of having a wound.

get injured

Presents a more informal way of saying someone has suffered an injury.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate phrase to use instead of "suffer wound"?

Instead of "suffer wound", consider using phrases such as "sustain a wound", "receive an injury", or simply "be wounded". These options are more common and grammatically sound.

How can I use the word "suffer" correctly in relation to injuries?

You can correctly use "suffer" with related terms like "suffer injuries", "suffer pain", or "suffer complications". The issue is with the specific collocation of "suffer" and "wound".

Is "suffer wound" ever considered correct in any context?

While not standard, you might encounter "suffer wound" in very specific creative or metaphorical contexts, but it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing to maintain clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "sustain a wound" and "suffer wound"?

"Sustain a wound" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase that means to experience or receive a physical injury. "Suffer wound" is not a standard English phrase and is generally considered incorrect.