suffered from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffered from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to show that someone experiences pain or distress as a result of illness, harm, etc. For example: "John suffered from a severe headache throughout the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They've suffered from pogroms.

The New York Times

He suffered from schizophrenia.

The New York Times - Books

Margaret suffered from depression.

Independent

She suffered from diabetes.

The New York Times - Books

Both suffered from depressions.

The Economist

She suffered from mental illness.

The New York Times

She suffered from terrible migraines.

The New Yorker

Neanderthals probably suffered from psoriasis.

The New Yorker

Then I suffered from it.

The New York Times

They suffered from smoke inhalation.

The New Yorker

Henry suffered from hallucinations.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffered from", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the cause of suffering is evident to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overly passive constructions with "suffered from". Active voice often strengthens the sentence and directly connects the subject with the experience of suffering. For example, instead of "The company suffered from poor management", consider "Poor management harmed the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffered from" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject has experienced negative effects or harm as a consequence of something, often an illness, injury, or adverse condition. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffered from" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that a subject has experienced negative consequences, often due to illness, injury, or adverse conditions. Grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While it has a generally neutral to formal register, writers should be mindful of potentially overusing passive voice constructions. Related phrases such as "experienced" or "was afflicted with" may provide more nuance depending on the intended meaning. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "suffered from" to convey hardship and its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced

Focuses on the act of undergoing or living through a negative situation.

was afflicted with

Emphasizes the suffering caused by a disease or problem.

struggled with

Highlights the effort to overcome a challenge or difficulty.

was burdened by

Stresses the weight or pressure caused by a problem or responsibility.

contended with

Suggests a continuous effort to deal with a problem or opponent.

labored under

Indicates working under a difficult or oppressive condition.

bore the brunt of

Implies receiving the worst part of a negative impact.

was impaired by

Focuses on how something was weakened or damaged.

succumbed to

Highlights giving in to a negative influence or condition.

fell victim to

Emphasizes being negatively affected by an external force or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "suffered from" in a sentence?

Use "suffered from" to indicate that a person, animal, or entity has experienced negative effects or harm due to a particular condition or event. For example, "She suffered from chronic pain" or "The crops suffered from the drought".

What are some alternatives to "suffered from"?

Alternatives include "experienced", "was afflicted with", or "struggled with" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "suffered from" or "had" when describing a medical condition?

"Suffered from" implies a more intense or prolonged experience of the condition compared to "had". "Had" might be more appropriate for a past condition, while "suffered from" suggests ongoing or significant distress.

What's the difference between "suffered from" and "affected by"?

"Suffered from" usually implies a more severe or negative impact than "affected by". "Affected by" can describe a broader range of influences, while "suffered from" specifically indicates harm or distress.