suffered to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffered to be" is correct and can be used in written English, though it is somewhat archaic.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing permission or allowance, often in a formal or literary style. Example: "He was suffered to be in the company of the nobles, despite his humble origins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

He becomes, instead, the gentle man who states boldly and honestly: "I will never stir from your side when I am suffered to be near you.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Ana, whose death sentences were commuted, said it was "almost a humiliation" after all he had suffered, to be given a piece of paper that said his trial was illegitimate.

The New York Times

Apart from a few fragments he suffered to be published in his lifetime, Pessoa's greatest work took the form of 350 fragments shoved into an envelope found in a trunk after his death.

The Guardian - Books

Not that we should all be constantly suspicious of each other at all times and in all places (though I admit I at least should have been vigilant enough to notice such a brazen theft as that in the coffee shop), but it seems a little strange to me, that a crime should be suffered to be committed in the presence of some three dozen cameras.

TechCrunch

The five decade prolongation of the "blockade" has allowed every setback we've suffered to be explained as stemming from it, justified by its effects.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

So must one suffer to be happy?

The New York Times

Yes, the author admits, you must suffer to be French.

The New York Times

TO love is to suffer; to be happy is to love.

The New York Times

Historically, women have told themselves they had to "suffer to be beautiful," but Ms. Bergstein shows that women are just as willing to suffer to be successful.

The New York Times

"I definitely don't think you need to suffer to be creative," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffered to be" when aiming for a formal or slightly archaic tone, particularly when describing situations where permission or endurance is combined with an element of negativity or imposition.

Common error

Avoid using "suffered to be" excessively in modern writing, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "allowed to be" or "permitted to be" unless a deliberately formal or historical effect is desired.

Linguistic Context

Passive verb phrase indicating tolerance or allowance of a situation, often with a negative connotation. It suggests that something was permitted to occur, though perhaps grudgingly or with negative consequences. As noted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically sound, it leans toward archaic usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffered to be" is a grammatically correct but somewhat archaic verb phrase that implies permission or allowance, often with a negative connotation. As Ludwig AI indicates, while technically sound, its use is generally limited to formal or historical contexts and may sound unnatural in contemporary writing. It appears most frequently in news media and academic sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When considering alternative phrasings, options like "allowed to be" or "permitted to be" might be more suitable for modern usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowed to be

Focuses on permission or authorization, rather than endurance or acceptance.

permitted to be

Similar to "allowed to be", emphasizing formal consent or authorization.

subjected to being

Highlights the experience of undergoing something, often negative or undesirable.

experienced to be

Focuses on the act of experiencing something, with an implication of enduring it.

forced to be

Shifts the focus to compulsion rather than allowance.

compelled to be

Similar to "forced to be", implying a strong external pressure or obligation.

made to be

Implies that an external force caused something to exist or happen.

undergone to be

Implies something has been carried out and suffered.

consented to be

Emphasizes agreement or willingness, contrasting with the sense of suffering or endurance.

deemed to be

Shifts the focus to judgement or assessment, without necessarily implying suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "suffered to be" to indicate that someone was allowed or permitted to do something, often with the implication that it was not necessarily pleasant or desirable. For example, "He was suffered to be in the company of nobles despite his humble origins."

What is a more common alternative to "suffered to be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "allowed to be", "permitted to be", or even simpler constructions depending on the context.

Is "suffered to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "suffered to be" is grammatically correct, although it is a somewhat archaic and formal construction. It follows standard grammatical rules but might sound unusual in contemporary conversation.

When should I avoid using "suffered to be"?

Avoid using "suffered to be" in informal or casual writing. It is best suited for formal contexts, historical narratives, or situations where you want to create a deliberate sense of distance or formality.