suffered to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffered to" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat archaic.
It can be used in contexts where someone is allowed or permitted to do something, often in a formal or literary style. Example: "He was suffered to enter the hall after the ceremony had concluded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I suffered, to be sure, but I didn't manage to save him.

The New Yorker

The later publications of his press thus suffered to some extent from neglect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

China's environment has suffered to help fuel its record-breaking economic growth.

The Guardian

"We have suffered to a certain extent from that, as have others like Waitrose.

The Guardian - Business

He compared the injuries the victims suffered to those of wartime.

The Guardian

You need to involve the people on the ground, those who have suffered, to rebuild this country from scratch".

The New York Times

Wrightstown has suffered "to the biggest degree" from this change, its mayor, Thomas Harper, said last week.

The New York Times

Their euphoria will be dampened by the injuries suffered to world-class players which may hurt them going forward.

The Guardian - Sport

She said they both suffered to get the United States and described Olango as well-educated but mentally ill.

The Guardian

We owe it to those who suffered to work together to act on this report, Miliband says.

The Guardian

"Political considerations are in my opinion too much suffered to influence the whole working of the system of public education".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "suffered to" is grammatically correct, consider the formality of your writing. In modern contexts, using alternatives like "allowed to" or "permitted to" may provide greater clarity and accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "suffered to" in casual writing or conversation, as its formal tone can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "allowed to" or "had to" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffered to" functions as a passive construction, where 'suffered' acts as an auxiliary verb indicating permission or allowance. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it often precedes an infinitive verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffered to" is grammatically correct, meaning "allowed" or "permitted". Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though it's considered somewhat formal and archaic. While less common in everyday speech, it appears frequently in formal writing, news articles, and scientific publications. When you write, consider the audience and context to decide if a more common alternative such as "allowed to" or "permitted to" is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to

Emphasizes formal authorization or consent, replacing "suffered" with a direct synonym for allowance.

allowed to

Indicates general permission or lack of prevention, offering a more common alternative to "suffered".

subjected to

Highlights the experience of undergoing something, often negative, shifting the focus from permission to the actual event.

exposed to

Implies vulnerability and the potential for harm, differing from the permissive sense of "suffered".

made to endure

Focuses on the forced persistence through hardship, adding emphasis to the negative aspect of the experience.

left to

Indicates abandonment or consignment to a particular fate or action, diverging from direct permission.

consented to

Implies agreement or approval, putting emphasis on the active agreement rather than the passive endurance.

had to undergo

Indicates a necessity to experience something, shifting the meaning towards obligation.

experienced

Simple way to state what the subject went through

faced with

Indicates the confrontation of difficult circumstances

FAQs

What does "suffered to" mean?

The phrase "suffered to" means allowed or permitted. It's often used in more formal or archaic contexts.

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

You can use "suffered to" to indicate that someone was allowed to do something, such as, "He was "allowed to" speak only after being recognized by the chair".

What are some alternatives to "suffered to"?

Alternatives to "suffered to" include "permitted to", "allowed to", and "subjected to", depending on the specific context.

Is "suffered to" commonly used in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "suffered to" is not as common in contemporary English as its alternatives. It's often perceived as more formal or archaic.